The $55.2 billion Illinois budget signed by Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday includes $5 million to Chicago for costs associated with operating expenses for NASCAR races July 5 and 6. State Sen. Don DeWitte noted that lawmakers also appropriated $1 million for 2026 Presidents Cup golf at Medinah Country Club and suggested that there were much more significant priorities for the state.

U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski said she was listed in what federal authorities described as “voluminous writings” found in the vehicle and home of Vance Boelter. While Illinois authorities have not publicly named any of the state officials who were named, Democratic state Sen. Laura Fine also acknowledged in a statement that her name was among those that appeared on one of Boelter’s lists.

State Rep. Brad Halbrook welcomed reports that the Clinton plant will increase its capacity by 30 megawatts as part of the deal. He voiced concern over possible unintended consequences for Illinois residents. “We just want to make sure that consumers are protected, that the energy stays on, that the flow continues, that the grid is not in jeopardy, and that costs don’t go up due to unforeseen circumstances,” he said.

Alleging the Trump administration wants to take health care away from people, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker this week signed a state budget that does just that. “It was a program that had been growing significantly in cost,” Pritzker said. “I do believe that everybody should have health care. I also know that we have to live within our means.”

Just over one year ago, the Illinois legislature approved spending more than $700 million to attract and support a new industry: quantum technology. Illinois state officials are interested in attracting the nascent industry because of its potential for economic growth and positioning Illinois as a high-tech leader in the coming decades.

Cahokia Heights tried the 2021 merger and applications for numerous grants to remedy the problem with mixed results. Other communities with overflow issues have tried approaches like selling parts of their sewer systems. While these residents wait for relief they continue to endure property damage, fear and distrust of the drinking water and damaging health impacts.

“To be honest with you, when you consider the total amount being spent to prepare the site, which as you recall we weren’t encouraging, that settlement was a good deal as we could get,” he said. The original contract with GardaWorld was approximately $29 million.

Matt Paprocki, of the Illinois Policy Institute: “Until Illinois reforms gerrymandering, ethics laws and House rules to better reflect democratic principles seen in other state legislatures, Madigan will continue controlling us. The power to make law will remain concentrated in the hands of a few. Madigan’s punishment should include sitting in his cell knowing his machine is being dismantled. That would be full justice for Illinoisans.”

Senate Minority Leader John Curran condemned lawmakers for failing to deliver significant tax cuts since Gov. JB Pritzker took office in 2019 when Illinois’ budget totaled about $40 billion. “You know it’s a bad budget when it’s based on nearly $1 billion in tax increases and enhancements,” he said in a statement.

In Chicago after signing the state budget, Gov. JB Pritzker said he fully expects the city to see increased immigration enforcement. “I don’t know exactly how big the force will be but I do know that he has used other law enforcement along with ICE to carry out his, you know, ill-conceived mission to go after people who frankly are paying taxes, and are law abiding, and they’ve been here many, many years,” Pritzker said. “I think those are the wrong people to go after.”

“Once again, Illinois has lost a major company to nearby Wisconsin, one which has been in Waukegan on Norman Drive, off Route 43, just north of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, since 1998. This is occurring while Wisconsin tourism, mainly supported by Illinoisans, for the third year in a row, set new records in total economic impact, number of visitors, and state and local revenue in 2024. … (Yaskawa America) officials said late last week the firm plans to invest at least $180 million and create more than 700 new high-paying jobs in Wisconsin.”