Biden says debt deal ‘very close’ with default deadline now set at June 5

An upbeat President Joe Biden says a deal to resolve the government’s debt ceiling crisis seems “very close.”
Legislature approves bill to tighten restrictions on red-light camera industry

Bill hailed as first step toward broader ethics reform.
217 Today: Illinois’ New Philadelphia becomes a national park

Friday, May 26, 2023 Today’s headlines: The Illinois Senate has passed a state budget after multiple delays. Officials delayed action on a plan to tap $51 million dollars to assist thousands of asylum seekers living in Chicago city shelters. A longtime state social service agency — with a large presence in central Illinois — is changing […]
State budget clears first hurdle with Senate vote — but elected school board map hits possible stall until next year

The plodding along on the state budget could still see the Illinois House passing the $50.6 billion spending plan by Friday.
Senate Democrats send budget to House, teeing it up for early Saturday morning vote

Measure came to vote after frenzied two days of closed-door negotiations.
Six pieces of modern ledger art by Josh Atcheynum now on display at Spurlock Museum

Six figures dance across a set of old documents at the Spurlock Museum at the University of Illinois. This is called ledger art, and it’s part of a new exhibit about modern Native American culture called “Welcome to the Pow-wow.”
Lawmakers OK bill to limit constitutional lawsuits to Cook, Sangamon County

Democrats accuse plaintiffs of ‘venue shopping’ in suits challenging COVID-19 orders, weapons ban.
Top Democrats announce budget ‘deal,’ but details are scant as last-minute negotiations continue

Gov. JB Pritzker and Democratic leaders announced Wednesday they’ve agreed to a framework for next year’s roughly $50 billion state spending plan, even as negotiations continued in the final stretch of lawmakers’ already-extended spring legislative session.