Illinois budget allows Gov. J.B. Pritzker to spend billions in federal COVID-19 aid without legislative input – Chicago Tribune*

Allowing the governor to tap into the money without an appropriation by lawmakers ensured “flexibility for the state to adapt to the rules as understanding of them evolved over the course of the year,” Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh said. But members of the General Assembly’s Republican minority are calling for greater transparency and more input from lawmakers on how the money is spent.