spending

Illinois has been without a budget for a significant amount of time. In fact, we're approaching the point of operating for half of a fiscal year without a spending plan in place. However, if one lawmaker is to be believed, we're just getting started...

Dave Dahl -- Illinois Radio Network Another installment of “Budgeting on the Fly” is underway in Springfield. The Illinois Senate Wednesday passed a nearly $4 billion spending bill – about half of which would come from the general revenue fund – to pay for some social services – including autism and child care programs -- and lottery prizes...

Besides the keen insight and friendly demeanor, there's a side benefit to having State Senator Tim Bivins sit in for Riley when he's out: the ability to land the big guests. Thanks to Sen. Bivins, we were able to line up an interview with Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner...

Dave Dahl -- Illinois Radio Network Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner promised to sign a bill – simply allowing federal money to flow through – as is, and only as is. So House Democrats stitched on an amendment that not only includes more federal dollars, but also spends almost $600 million from state funds...

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois lawmakers are expected to consider a plan to spend about $5 billion in federal funds during the state budget stalemate. Two House appropriations committees are scheduled to hold a hearing Monday on legislation unanimously approved by the Illinois Senate last week...

John Gregory -- Illinois Radio Network Searching through political contributions and campaign spending in Illinois is easier thanks to a new online database. It’s called Illinois Sunshine, and it allows you to find information about political donations and expenditures dating back to 1994...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Senate has approved a plan to direct almost $5 billion in federal funds to social service agencies during the state's budget stalemate. Lawmakers unanimously supported the legislation Tuesday, sending the measure to the House...

Dave Dahl -- Illinois Radio Network Here’s the new governor’s chance to make good on a promise spend more on education. The Illinois State Board of Education is seeking an increase of 10 percent from the Illinois General Assembly: $7...

On his first full day as Governor of Illinois, Bruce Rauner signed an executive order which immediately freezes all state discretionary spending. Executive order 15-08 also halts the awarding of contracts and grands and instructs the sale of surplus state property...

Two weeks from tomorrow (and in some cases two weeks from today on Thanksgiving evening) the Christmas shopping season officially kicks off with Black Friday sales at stores across the country. Some shoppers already are staking out locations...