Illinois Quick Hits: General Assembly leaders promise budget transparency
(The Center Square) – Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, and Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, say more than 90 pieces of budget legislation will be consolidated and introduced as House Bill 131 and Senate Bill 2512.
Welch and Harmon issued a joint statement saying the compiled language would ensure that all interested parties have time to review and offer thoughtful feedback.
In previous years, Welch and Harmon have sponsored shell bills that were stuffed with line items and passed during the final hours of session.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXAMS POSTPONED DUE TO CYBER ATTACK
The University of Illinois has postponed all final exams and assignments through Sunday due to a global cyber attack on the school’s Canvas learning management system.
A university statement said the vendor that operates Canvas, Instructure, disclosed the incident May 1 and it remains under investigation.
IL FEDERATION OF TEACHERS MEGAPROJECTS CALCULATOR
The Illinois Federation of Teachers has released a “Mega Project, Mega Loss” calculator it says quantifies how much towns and schools stand to lose under megaprojects legislation in the General Assembly.
The teachers union said the current bill signifies the largest transfer of responsibility for revenue to fund schools and services from private developers to individual property owners in the state’s history.
AAA FUEL PRICES
Illinois fuel prices dipped slightly on Friday, according to AAA.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $4.99, down less than a penny from the day before. The average price for diesel is $5.98.
The national averages are $4.55 for unleaded and $5.67 for diesel.
POPE 1 YEAR
On the one-year anniversary of Illinois native Pope Leo XIV’s election as pope, Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich offered thanked for the pontiff’s leadership and his call to unity and peace.
In a social media post, Cupich asked all to join him in praying for the Holy Father.
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Land Use Committee Advances Mokena Scrap Yard and Homer Glen Landscape Business Over Local Objections
District 210 Reports Insurance Deficit Amid National Healthcare Cost Spikes; Finances Remain Stable
Planning Commission Backs 5-MW Peotone Solar Farm; Developer Pledges Pollinator Habitat and Community Funds
Joliet Junior College Board Approves $2 Tuition Increase Amidst Heated Debate Over Enrollment and Spending
Lincoln-Way Board Ratifies Three-Year Support Staff Contract with Significant Hourly Raises
Frankfort Seeks Public Vision for Downtown Urban Design
Green Garden Residents Seek Frankfort’s Support in Opposing 6,000-Acre Solar Farm
State of the College: Local Legislators Bolster Student Support Services
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Public Health & Safety Committee for February 5, 2026
State of the College: Dual Credit Program Enrollment Hits 6,000 Students
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Finance Committee for February 3, 2026
Fairmont Neighborhood Plan Update Prioritizes Infrastructure and Beautification Following Demographic Shift
