Springfield . . . After 11 weeks of overtime, the longest overtime session in the history of the Illinois General Assembly, lawmakers concluded their work by officially delivering the Fiscal Year 2008 state budget to the Governor; approving, in the Senate, legislation needed to implement that budget; and making changes in the state’s election laws. However, as the legislative session concluded, concerns began to emerge as Governor Blagojevich announced he would radically alter the budget plan in order to massively expand taxpayer-funded health care.

Springfield, IL – Senate lawmakers attempted to bring an end the state’s 70-day budget stalemate on Thursday, approving a $28 billion budget deal.   The proposed budget does not rely on a major tax hike – unlike the budget proposed by the Governor earlier this year, which included a multi-billion Gross Receipts sales tax.

SPRINGFIELD — Now in the third month of legislative overtime, Illinois faces a looming government shutdown as a continuing lack of leadership and inter-party bickering by the Governor and Democrat legislative leaders has left the state – and the citizens it serves – with no budget.

The General Assembly missed its scheduled May 31 adjournment deadline, as well as the 2007 fiscal year deadline on June 30. A one-month budget to keep state government running, approved late in June, ran out July 31.

Springfield, IL – Eight weeks into a record-breaking overtime session, legislation is aimed at reducing the impact of major electric rate hikes that went into effect in January for customers of the state’s two largest utilities, Commonwealth Edison and Ameren, passed both chambers.

The legislation, which passed the chamber 40-13-1, will provide the most relief for all-electric customers in the Ameren service area, but all customers of the two major service providers will receive minimal relief under the package.  Critics of the plan argue that it does not help to foster utility competition within the state.