Category: Money

Trump admin. ends reimbursements for Illinois fresh food programs

By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com The Donald Trump administration has stopped reimbursing Illinois for a program designed to help farmers and supply fresh food to Illinois food banks. The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday that changes to federal funding mean Illinois is missing reimbursements for costs for the Local

Pritzker calls $55.2B budget ‘responsible and balanced’

By Ben Szalinski, Peter Hancock, & Jerry NowickiCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com An improved revenue forecast is helping ease pressure on state finances as governor JB Pritzker calls for tightened spending to balance the budget without tax increases on everyday Illinoisans. During his annual state of the state and budget address on

Lawsuits with Donald Trump Administration stretching Illinois resources

By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced this week he has joined yet another multistate lawsuit against the Donald Trump Administration, this time over its decision to slash funding for university research grants through the National Institutes of Health. It was at least the fourth such

Reader’s Voice: ‘April Fools Day’ Tax Referendum

February 7, 2025Dear editor; Taxpayers are the government’s “bankers of last resort”. When politicians over-spend and over-tax in fiscally irresponsible ways, it’s ultimately up to us taxpayers to say “no more”. According to its audited financial statements filed with the Illinois State Comptroller, the Kane County Board’s Ruling Democrat Super-Majority

Bill to phase out subminimum wage for disabled workers

By Ben Szalinskibszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.comCapitol News Illinois Governor JB Pritzker Tuesday, Jan. 21 signed a long-awaited bill to stop Illinois organizations from paying less than the minimum wage to workers with disabilities. The bill applies to businesses and other facilities that hold what is known as a 14(c) certificate, named after the

Scholarships available for high school seniors

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley has scholarships for graduating high school seniors, students in undergrad and graduate programs, students entering a trade program, and nontraditional students who are returning to school. Scholarship application for the 2025-2026 academic year will close at 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24. Students can

Illinois better prepared for recession than in recent past

By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com State lawmakers will face a projected budget deficit and slowing revenue when they return to Springfield in January 2025, but a new report shows fiscal decisions made in recent years have put Illinois in a better position to handle a recession than any time in

Bill to phase out subminimum wage for disabled workers

By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com A long-awaited bill to stop Illinois organizations from paying subminimum wage to workers with disabilities will soon head to governor JB Pritzker’s desk after being approved by the Senate Thursday. The Senate took a bipartisan 43-11 vote to pass the legislation that supporters dub the

Batavia Chamber Inspire Scholarship open for applications

The 2025 Inspire Scholarships are now open for applications. The scholarship program, sponsored by the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, will be given to Batavia Public School District 101 high school seniors, with up to four awards given. The four scholarships, worth $1,000 each, are motivated by the makeup of the

Pritzker’s budget office projects $3.2B deficit

By Jerry NowickiCapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com The first extensive public look at next year’s State finances contains a warning to lawmakers from the governor’s office: “The ability to fund new programs will be severely limited” next fiscal year. That comes from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, which projected a

Illinois reaches record-high tax revenue of more than $2 billion from gambling

By HANNAH MEISELCapitol News Illinoishmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois surpassed $2 billion in tax revenue last year from all types of gambling and the state lottery – a record bolstered by continued growth in video gambling, sports betting and the opening of several new casinos. But that growth comes at the expense of

DuPage County budget Fiscal Year 2025

DuPage County Board chair Deborah Conroy presented a balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2025 Tuesday, Sept. 24, outlining key priorities that support vital County services in a cost-effective, fiscally responsible manner. The proposed FY 2025 budget totals $635.8 million, with a General Fund of $257.1 million. The budget includes a