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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Latest on Illinois lawmakers' attempts to approve a stopgap state budget and money for schools (all times local):
8:45 p.m.
Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed legislation that ensures public schools stay open for a year and provides colleges and social services programs money for six months.
The Republican governor signed the partial budget Thursday evening after he and Democratic leaders crafted a deal after days of negotiations. The agreement brings short-term certainty to the state as a new fiscal year begins Friday, but it doesn't solve the ideological chasm that has led to Rauner and Democrats failing to pass a full budget.
The plan gives schools just over $11 billion in state and federal dollars and higher education institutions $1 billion. Social services programs will get about $700 million and various state agencies are also getting funding to cover operational expenses until January.
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5:15 p.m.
The partial-year budget the Illinois General Assembly sent to Gov. Bruce Rauner drew only a handful of "no" votes in the House.
Democratic Rep. Jack Franks of Marengo says the piecemeal plan pushes hard choices off until after the November election. Franks is leaving the House to run for McHenry County Board chairman. He says there were no "profiles in courage" on Thursday.
Barrington Hills Republican Rep. David McSweeney said before the vote he would oppose the plan because it would worsen the state's financial position and increase the likelihood lawmakers will have to approve an income tax increase in January. He says legislators should work on reforming spending on health care and pensions and opposes a property-tax increase for Chicago.
Franks and McSweeney were among "no" tallies in the House's 105-4 vote. The Senate approved it 54-0.
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4:15 p.m.
Democratic leaders in the Illinois General Assembly are congratulating their colleagues for adopting a partial-year budget plan but warn that serious work remains.
The House and Senate sent Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner legislation Thursday to keep government operating for six months and schools funded for a full year.
Chicago Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan indicated he had achieved what he's sought since Rauner took office 18 months ago. He says the deal is the result of "serious compromise and good-faith efforts."
He noted Rauner set aside his agenda for changes to the business climate that Democrats oppose but acknowledged Democrats didn't get everything they wanted either.
Senate President John Cullerton — a Chicago Democrat — says it's an indication of what can be done when all sides work together.
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3:50 p.m.
Illinois lawmakers averted a shutdown of schools and avoided further uncertainty in government operations with a partial budget deal that funds education for a year and other areas for six months.
The Illinois Legislature passed a package of bills Thursday to complete an agreement by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic lawmakers after days of negotiations. But the deal means the state will still enter a second fiscal year Friday without a full budget and will likely extend the partisan fighting over a comprehensive spending plan past the November elections.
The partial budget ensures schools will operate for a full academic year and brings a sigh of relief for districts that wondered whether they could open at all.
Higher education institutions, social services providers, and government operations will get money for six months.
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3 p.m.
The Illinois House has sent to the Senate the final pieces of a budget deal that would increase funding for schools by more than $500 million and keep the state operating for six months.
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic leaders negotiated the agreement to ensure schools open this fall and government services continue when the new fiscal year begins Friday. The House approved it 105-4.
The stopgap budget includes money for universities, social services, prisons and other programs.
No school district loses money compared with the current year. Districts that serve more low-income students will split a $250 million grant, with Chicago Public Schools receiving about $100 million.
Lawmakers also allowed the Chicago Board of Education to raise property taxes $250 million to help pay billions in teacher pension debt.
The Senate is expected to vote on the bills later Thursday.
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11:50 a.m.
The Illinois House has approved the first pieces of a stopgap state budget deal aimed at funding education and keeping the state operating.
Lawmakers passed a measure Thursday that allows Illinois not to repay about $454 million previously taken from special state funds, freeing up that money for other uses. The bill also freezes lawmaker pay and per diems for another year and extends online lottery sales.
The House also approved legislation 73-37 to provide $215 million to Chicago Public Schools to help fund its teacher pensions, as the state does for districts outside the city.
House GOP Leader Jim Durkin says under a deal negotiated between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic leaders, the bill won't go to the governor for his signature until the Legislature approves statewide pension reform.
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10:45 a.m.
Illinois lawmakers have started advancing pieces of a stopgap budget deal to keep the state running and fund schools in the fiscal year that begins Friday.
The House Executive Committee on Thursday morning unanimously passed legislation negotiated between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic leaders who control the General Assembly.
The full House is expected to vote on the bills later Thursday, followed by the Senate.
Lawmakers say the deal includes money to fund state services for the next six months. It also provides a full year of money for elementary and secondary education, including hundreds of millions of dollars for financially struggling Chicago Public Schools.
The state also will begin contributing to the cost of pensions for teachers in Chicago, as it does for districts outside the city.
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1 a.m.
Illinois lawmakers are expected to vote on a stopgap spending deal that would ensure schools open in August and would fund state services for the next six months.
After days of negotiations, lawmakers said Wednesday that Democratic leaders and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner had crafted a plan expected to be brought up for votes on the House and Senate floors Thursday, one day before the current fiscal year ends.
The plan would bring certainty to schools and relief to cash-strapped colleges and social service providers. But it also means the state will enter a second fiscal year without a full spending plan in place, setting up a high-stakes November election that will influence budget discussions in January.
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