House Majority Greg Harris (D-Chicago) said Thursday Illinois will receive $27 billion overall from the American Rescue Plan.

The state of Illinois is set to receive even more money from the American Rescue Plan than previously anticipated, House Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago) said Thursday.

Officials have been anticipating since March that the federal relief program would send $7.5 billion to Illinois. Speaking during a news conference in Springfield, Harris said the latest estimates indicate “it will be closer to” $8.1 billion.

Gov JB Pritzker on Wednesday pushed back against recently issued guidance from the federal government outlining how states could spend money from the American Rescue Plan.

Illinois lawmakers received good and bad news this week as they continue to consider Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

On the positive side, revenue collections in Illinois in recent months have surpassed expectations, leading the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability to significantly increase its revenue projections for the current and upcoming fiscal year. However, new preliminary guidance released this week by U.S. Treasury officials could scramble state leaders’ plans to right Illinois’ financial ship.

Director of Illinois families for Public Schools Cassie Creswell faced intense questioning from House lawmakers over a proposed law mandating 30 minutes of recess for Illinois elementary school students Wednesday.

Lawmakers picked apart a bill meant to mandate 30 minutes of recess for elementary school students during a Wednesday hearing of the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee.

Beyond Legal Aid executive director Lam Ho and Era Laudermilk from the Cook County Public Defender’s office advocated for a bill Wednesday that would allow the public defender to represent non-citizens.

A Senate committee on Wednesday advanced a proposal that would formally let the Cook County Public Defender’s office represent non-citizens in immigration cases.

The bill (HB 2790) comes after the Cook County Public Defender’s office launched a new Immigration Unit late last year. Funded through a private-public partnership between Cook County and the JB and MK Pritzker Family Foundation, the unit seeks to ensure clients are fully informed of potential immigration consequences during criminal cases.

Illinois Department of Human Services Inspector General Peter Neumer appeared before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Tuesday.

Illinois Department of Human Services Inspector General Peter Neumer on Tuesday rejected the notion that state officials influenced the audit he released this month that panned the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs handling of the COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home. 

Although the audit was ordered by Gov. JB Pritzker last fall, Neumer said the administration did not receive any advance notice of his findings or request any alterations to the audit.

 

Deputy Governor Christian Mitchell presented The Consumers and Climate First Act to a committee of House legislators Tuesday, highlighting its overall environmental impact and goals related to equity and job retention.

House lawmakers agonized on Tuesday over equity concerns and the cost of decarbonization during a marathon subject matter hearing called to discuss The Consumers and Climate First Act (SB 2896/HB 4074), Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed overhaul of the state’s energy laws.

Sen. Mattie Hunter presented HB 3099 to the Senate Education Committee, which passed out of the hearing with almost no discussion Tuesday. Tito Quiñones testified in support of the measure on behalf of Chicago Public Schools.

Chicago Public Schools is one step closer to eliminating its department of truancy after HB 3099 passed out of the Senate Education Committee Tuesday.

Gov. JB Pritzker announced a new $250 million round of capital funding grants for municipalities around the state.

Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) said last week that Democrats’ decision to draw new redistricting maps behind closed doors was “an injustice to democracy.”

Republican lawmakers held a news conference last week in a clutter-filled hallway and pointed to a doorway, saying House Democrats were operating in secret on the other side to determine legislative boundaries for the next decade.

“This room…is the secret room behind closed doors that maps get drawn that the public is not allowed into,” said Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield).

Lawmakers on Friday wrapped up what was likely one of their final slow weeks before the current legislative session accelerates toward its May 31 conclusion. In total, the Senate approved 17 bills while the House voted on resolutions rather than approve any bills.