Category: Money

State ends fiscal year with nearly $5B cash on hand

By Jerry NowickiCapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois entered a new fiscal year Monday, July 1, with a bit of a financial cushion when the prior year’s revenues exceeded final projections by approximately $123 million. The state ended fiscal year 2024 with approximately $4.7 billion cash on hand, or approximately nine percent

Good financial literacy help at the Aurora Public Library District

You’re interested in learning information on investments and taking control of your financial future, but the jargon and complexity of financial markets is overwhelming. The Aurora Public Library District (APLD) can help guide you on your financial journey with our upcoming program, ‘Investment Concerns in a Fragile Market’, Monday, May

Naperville grant funding for Mental Health Month

In recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, the City of Naperville government announces two new grant funding opportunities for organizations providing mental health and substance use programs and services in Naperville. The City annually awards Social Service Grant (SSG) funding to enhance social service activities for community benefit.

Capitol Briefs: Lawmakers introduce police reform measures, advocates look to end tipped wage

Proposals draw support from gun safety groups, worry from law enforcement advocates By Andrew Adams& Alex AbbedutoCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com Chicago — Families of gun violence victims are asking the state legislature to reform how police handle unsolved murder investigations through legislation introduced this week. House Bill 4753, sponsored by Rep.

Aurora Public Library District receives donation

Comcast joined Aurora Public Library District (APLD) officials recenty to announce a $30,000 donation to the Aurora Public Library District Foundation to fund a digital navigator program at Santori Library, 101 S. River Street in Aurora. Digital navigators are professionals who link residents to resources that can help them build

Five-year forecast from governor’s budget office indicates Illinois still facing structural budget hole

By Jerry NowickiCapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com With Illinois lawmakers scheduled to return to legislative session in less than a month, a recent government fiscal forecast provides an overview of the budgeting landscape that awaits them. The bottom line from the five-year forecast from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget: The

Illinois receives Fitch credit rating upgrade

By Jerry Nowicki Illinois received another credit upgrade Tuesday, the same day a legislative committee once again scrutinized governor JB Pritzker’s administration for its handling of unemployment claims during the COVID-19 pandemic. The upgrade came from Fitch Ratings, the last remaining holdout of the nation’s three major credit reporting agencies

Reader’s Voice: An embarrassment of riches at taxpayers’ expense

October 26, 2023Dear editor; Overflowing reserves ($53MM); obstinant refusal to properly recognize and appropriately utilize interest income windfall ($14MM); constantly increasing share of state sales, income, gambling, and marijuana taxes increase (multi-millions); reprehensibly wasteful spending (at least $3MM); and even inaccurate redefinition of elementary generally accepted accounting procedures . .

State grant for Aurora Public Library District bookmobile

State representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego), State representative Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora), and State senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) have secured $400,000 in state grant money for the funding of the Aurora Public Library District’s (APLD) new bookmobile. State legislators recently joined the APLD) and members of the community for a check presentation

Illinois Contract for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council (AFSCME) 31

By Peter Hancock Governor JB Pritzker and the State’s largest public employee union announced Tuesday, July 25 that they have agreed on a new contract that will provide a nearly 18% pay raise over four years, including a four percent raise this year. The contract expands parental leave to 12

Illinois receives $12-Million grant for new buses

Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) announced Monday, June 26 Illinois has received a $12,299,377 grant from the Biden-Harris Administration’s infrastructure law to put new American-built buses on the road and improve transit service in their community. The grants, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration, were made possible

Aurora Noon Lions Club donates to Diabetes Club of Fox Valley and East Aurora’s NJROTC program

Aurora Noon Lions Club recently awarded grants totaling $1,500 to two worthy community groups. At the Club’s June 15 meeting, Noon Lions president Susan Koepke presented ceremonial checks to Diabetes Club of Fox Valley and East Aurora High School’s Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps unit. Koepke said, “The Aurora