SPRINGFIELD, IL (AP) — 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.
