Gov. JB Pritzker signs the Fiscal Year 2024 budget in June. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

Even with upward revisions in the state’s revenue forecast for Fiscal Year 2024, a new state report shows budget deficits continue to remain possible in future years based on the current trajectory of spending and revenue.

Rep. Amy Elik (R-Alton) participates in the Legislative Audit Commission on Nov. 7. [Blue Room Stream] 

The Illinois Auditor General will conduct an audit of the state’s two healthcare programs that provide healthcare coverage for people over age 42 as costs for the program continue to exceed budget limits.  

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at a news conference in Chicago on Thursday. [Gov. JB Pritzker/Facebook] 

The state announced a new plan on Thursday to assist asylum seekers arriving in Chicago in an effort to get more people into winter-safe shelters and resources they need to move out of the shelters. 

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) issued rulings on Thursday on proposed rate hikes in 2024 by Illinois gas companies. And new data from the Department of Employment Security shows unemployment is increasing in Illinois.  

The Illinois Commerce Commission will rule on gas rate hikes on Thursday.    

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) will decide on Thursday if most Illinois residents who receive natural gas to their homes and businesses will see higher rates next year.  

Parents and students supporting Invest in Kids rally in the capitol last week. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

Illinois Democrats chose not to extend the Invest in Kids scholarship program tax credit before leaving Springfield for the year, setting up the end to a controversial program thousands of families relied on, but opponents criticized in many cases as state funding of religious schools. 

Though the credit will end on Jan. 1, scholarships awarded through the program this school year are expected to continue through the remainder of the school year. But going into fall 2024, thousands of families of nearly 10,000 students in the program are now considering what’s next for their children while the program’s opponents call for more support for public schools.  

The Illinois Capitol 

Few big-ticket items made their way through the legislature during a veto session dominated by conversations about ending the nuclear moratorium and implementing the Chicago elected school board.  

Here’s a look at what else lawmakers approved as the calendar closed on the first half of the 103rd General Assembly.

Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) speaks in the Senate Executive Committee on Thursday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

The hottest topic of the second week of veto session was the implementation plan of Chicago’s elected school board, but despite throwing out numerous proposals, Democratic leaders in the House and Senate ultimately failed to come to an agreement and will have to revisit the issue in the spring.

Rep. Lance Yednock (D-Ottawa), left, and Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) hold a news conference Thursday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

Illinois is nearly ready to lift the 1980s-era ban on the construction of new nuclear energy reactors after the House passed legislation on Thursday to lift the ban that now goes to Gov. JB Pritzker, who is expected to sign it.  

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) presents a bill Wednesday to lift the state’s ban on new nuclear reactor construction. [Blue Room Stream] 

After the initial plan was vetoed in August by Gov. JB Pritzker, the Illinois Senate voted Wednesday to advance a new plan with Pritzker’s support to end the state’s nearly 40-year ban on new nuclear construction.