Afternoon news update: July 1, 2015

The question of how much spending state government can do without a budget is on a lot of minds in Illinois this week. As the fiscal year came to a conclusion, the Illinois House showcased the “what if” of there not being a state budget. The American Cancer Society urged lawmakers not to let screening programs come to a halt. Survivor Pam Luechtefeld of Decatur said it's made a difference: “I probably wouldn't have even known that I have cancer, but, as of May 21, I'm cancer-free.” “I know the word shutdown has been thrown around a lot,” said Tim Nuding, director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget, “and I think it's used, frankly, cavalierly in order to scare people. But we are going to try to manage this thing as best we can.” The governor and the attorney general have differing views on what spending authority he has, and the governor's chief counsel, Jason Barclay, admitted nobody seems to agree on the definition of essential services.
Meanwhile, the governor's budget director says a one-month spending plan proposed by Democrats is "unconstitutional" because it would lead to an unbalanced budget. Tim Nuding says that if the proposal were applied over the full fiscal year, it would spend $4 billion more than Illinois expects in revenue.
Gov. Rauner has struck down cost-of-living salary increases for Illinois lawmakers and elected constitutional officers. Rauner says signing the legislation into law would mean raises for lawmakers of $1,400 to $1,900. Legislative salaries range from $68,000 to $95,000, based on responsibilities. The governor says Illinois legislators are among the highest-paid in the nation.
Many population groups will likely suffer if a state budget isn’t approved soon. And one of those groups is the elderly. So an annual food drive from Comfort Keepers, a senior homecare service, which looks to feed seniors in need is especially important now. In Freeport, Comfort Keepers is sponsoring its annual non-perishable food drive, "Feed Seniors Now." During the month of July, people are encouraged to drop off food at a number of locations. All food will be donated to seniors in need throughout Freeport.
A mix of drug charges face a Beloit man. 37-year old Trail Leland was arrested following a raid on his home. Police found crack cocaine, marijuana and paraphernalia commonly used to manufacture and deliver illegal drugs inside. Leland is currently being held in the Rock County Jail. He'll appear in court tomorrow.
Woodward’s new $200 million dollar manufacturing plant is now open at Perryville and Harlem Roads in Loves Park. Woodward specializes in products for the aerospace and energy industries. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to employ 1,200 people.

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