University representatives from Chicago State, Governors State, Northeastern Illinois and Western Illinois University presented their budgetary concerns during the House Appropriations Higher Education Committee meeting on Thursday.

From left to right State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea), Title one reading interventionist Shalanda Gaines, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) and State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood).

Senate Democrats held a news conference Thursday morning to announce a variety of legislative ideas that would help bridge the gap as school districts throughout the state continue to struggle to fill teaching positions.

Lawmakers will pass a state budget within the next four weeks.    

Lawmakers should not be looking for a surprise revenue boost as they craft the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, Department of Revenue Director David Harris told a Senate committee Wednesday as he urged lawmakers to be cautious when making the budget.  

The House Health Care Availability and Accessibility Committee debates a bill Tuesday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

A bill targeting “crisis pregnancy centers” that “mislead” or provide “disinformation” about their services or medical advice is set for a final vote after passing a House committee Tuesday.  

Rep. Margaret Croke (D-Chicago) presents a bill in the House on March 21. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

State lawmakers are advancing a plan that would require stricter reporting requirements for school officials about incidents of bullying in an effort the lead sponsor of a bill says will help align Illinois’ anti-bullying law with online cyberbullying.  

Lawmakers are expected to draw boundaries for the board’s seats by mid-May.    

Members of the House heard testimony Monday from stakeholders as they weigh how to draw boundaries for Chicago Public Schools’ new elected school board that voters will choose candidates for beginning in 2024.  

Faculty and administration at Northeastern Illinois University announced Monday they reached an agreement to avoid a strike. And Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is highlighting achievements from his first 100 days in office.  

River Forest Village President Catherine Adduci, left, and Illinois Municipal League Executive Director Brad Cole, right, speak to the House Cities and Villages Committee Tuesday. [Blue Room Stream]   

Mayors from around the state descended on Springfield last week to call on state lawmakers to restore funding for the Local Government Distributive Fund to 10 percent of the state’s total income tax revenue — a level it has not been at in over a decade.  

Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) speaks at a news conference in Springfield Thursday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

House Republicans are asking for a pause to further expansions of the state health care program giving health care to undocumented residents after a report from the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS) found the program costs far more than expected.  

Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson (center) delivers an address to a joint session of the General Assembly Wednesday in the Illinois House chamber. He is pictured with Senate President Don Harmon, (left) D-Oak Park, and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside. [Jerry Nowicki/Capitol News Illinois]   

Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson laid out a bold progressive blueprint for state lawmakers to serve as a governing partner to the city of Chicago in a passionate speech to a joint session of the General Assembly Wednesday.