Trump Disputes Hurricane Death Toll In Puerto RicoIt's the latest defense since Mr. Trump on Tuesday claimed that federal response to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico was an "unsung success."
Illinois Democrats Content To Wait For Rauner ProposalsHouse and Senate Democrats will seek to protect their own interests and constituencies in eventual negotiations with Rauner. While he speaks of the need for steep budget cuts, they'll likely seek to protect social services, state workers and Medicaid recipients.
Democrats Regroup, Craft Budget Without Higher TaxHouse Speaker Michael Madigan emerged from a Memorial Day caucus meeting and told reporters that he was dropping the idea of making the 5 percent income tax permanent -- and crafting a budget blueprint that holds the line on spending but is not the "doomsday" plan the House overwhelmingly rejected on Friday.
House Democrats 'Significantly' Short Of Votes For Tax HikeIllinois Gov. Pat Quinn tried Monday to persuade House Democrats to extend the state's temporary income tax increase to avoid what he says would be "savage" budget cuts, but emerged from a roughly three-hour meeting with lawmakers still well short of the votes he needs for approval.
Madigan Advances Minimum Wage Ballot QuestionWeeks after it became clear Illinois Democrats were struggling to find the necessary votes for legislation to increase the state's minimum wage, House Speaker Michael Madigan began advancing the issue by another route, in a move laced with political calculation.
State Lawmakers Fail To Pass Pension Reform Before DeadlineGov. Pat Quinn is promising not to give up the fight for pension reform, after lawmakers failed to get a bill passed before the deadline of midnight Thursday night.
Lawmakers Pushing For Rollback Of Corporate Income Tax HikeIllinois House Republicans – and even some House Democrats – want to roll back the state’s corporate income tax increase, but there’s no serious talk of also rolling back the personal income tax hike.