Good News and Bad News

  First, some very much needed good news for our State’s fiscal condition.  Due to an unprecedented upswing in state revenues for April, our receipts increased by $1.521 billion.  By utilizing this revenue to pay down almost all existing Medicaid bills, we were able to bring in an additional $1 billion in federal matching dollars,… [Continue Reading]

3rdflrrail05

FY14 Budget Update

    While hearings on the requested budgets of all State departments are well under way, and while the House Republicans and Democrats have agreed to an estimated revenue number to plan expenditures against, there is still not an agreement on the ‘top of the line’ expenses. Top of the line expenses include the following… [Continue Reading]

10_ Illinois State Capitol Rotunda

FY14 Revenue Estimates, Appropriation Issues

For the last several weeks, the House Revenue Committee has been holding hearings as part of the annual process of estimating the amount of General Revenue Funds (GRF) that can be used for appropriations in the next fiscal year.  GRF is separate from revenues that are available from Other State Funds (OSF) and Federal Funds… [Continue Reading]

0303R072

Illinois House committee advances gay marriage bill

SPRINGFIELD—A bill legalizing gay marriage cleared a Democratic-led committee late Tuesday and now moves to the full House, where the issue is expected to meet its toughest test. The proposal, approved on a 6-5 vote in the House Executive Committee shortly before 10 p.m., is coming under increasingly heavy fire from church organizations who say… [Continue Reading]

capital 1

Get Free Tax & Financial Help at Truman College

  Get Free Tax & Financial Help at Truman College Have a tax problem? Collections? An audit? A question about tax issues for a startup business?  The Center for Economic Progress located in Truman College can help. The CEP Tax Clinic has a professional staff and volunteer run program providing workshops and one on one… [Continue Reading]

CEP tax Volunteers

Editorial: A Spouse is a Spouse

A little more than two years ago, the Illinois General Assembly took a carefully measured step toward marriage equality, the full legal recognition of committed partnerships, regardless of the parties’ sexual orientation. With that vote in December 2010, Illinois became the sixth state to recognize civil unions, extending many of the rights and benefits of… [Continue Reading]

ChicagoTribune

Editorial: Time for state House to join tide of history on rights

By The Daily Herald Editorial Board The Illinois Senate has done its part to advance the notion of human rights in Illinois. Now it’s up to the state House. Debated in the legislature and around the country for more than a year, the arguments for same-sex marriage should by now be clear: Gay couples should… [Continue Reading]

Daily-Herald

Editorial: The best kind of Valentine’s gift

ust two years ago Illinois made history by allowing for civil unions, but same-sex marriage was a distant, misty dream. Supporters wouldn’t even dare call it for a vote. On Thursday — yes, Valentine’s Day — Illinois senators showed just how far we’ve come in accepting love wherever it blooms. Thirty-four senators — a majority… [Continue Reading]

2013-02-1402.25.18HarrisSteans

2013 Legislative Priorities

As we begin the 98th General Assembly, I am honored to be named Chairman of the House Appropriation–Human Services Committee, which oversees the half of the state budget dealing with healthcare, children’s services, senior services, disability services, Medicaid, mental health, substance abuse, public health and other human services. We are faced with enormous challenges and… [Continue Reading]

harristribune

Budget & Pension Update

As the 98th General Assembly begins were are faced with increasing financial pressures in all areas of general state operations, and the continuing financial pressure caused by the growing obligations to our state pension systems.   Here is a quick list of operational financial pressures that we will have to contend with, which do not… [Continue Reading]

10_ Illinois State Capitol Rotunda