Illinois Quick Hits: Raoul says office shorted about $10M

Illinois Quick Hits: Raoul says office shorted about $10M

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says his office has been shorted about $10 million from its overall state budget appropriation in 2026.

Raoul said during a City Club of Chicago event Tuesday that funding remained flat in budget legislation for fiscal year 2027 until 3 a.m. on June 1, a little more than an hour before the budget bill passed.

Raoul said his office received a $5 million increase in general funds but an overall $10 million decrease in the new budget.

ATTORNEYS GENERAL CALL FOR TOBACCO AD BAN IN AUTO RACING

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined a coalition of 18 attorneys general calling on international auto racing organizations to ban sponsorships involving tobacco and nicotine products and terminate existing agreements involving those products.

In a letter to FIA and Formula One leadership, Raoul and the attorneys general cited nicotine pouch advertising connected to Formula One teams and events, including products marketed by major tobacco companies.

COOK COUNTY TAX BILLS ARE AGAIN DELAYED

Cook County officials say their next round of property tax bills will arrive about two months late.

County board president Toni Preckwinkle said in a statement that she intends to reopen a bridge fund program to help local governments manage the resulting gap in cash flow.

Technological problems have caused several delays in Cook County’s tax system in recent years, leaving municipalities and other taxing districts on the hook for interest lost and debts incurred because of the county’s delinquent distributions.

REPORT: IL HOME INSURANCE RATES ARE UP 68% SINCE 2020

A new report says Illinois ranks 17th in home insurance rates nationwide, with premiums up 68% since 2020.

LendingTree’s 2026 State of Home Insurance Report said Illinois homeowners pay $2,731 annually, 14% above the national average of $2,395.

The General Assembly recently passed House Bill 4273 to regulate property insurance.

HOUSE ANNOUNCES FALL VETO SCHEDULE

Five days after the state Senate released its calendar for fall veto session, the Illinois House has matched the schedule.

Both chambers are scheduled to meet in Springfield on Nov. 17-19 and Dec. 1-3.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: Bessent spars with lawmakers over tariffs, Trump lawsuits

WATCH: Bessent spars with lawmakers over tariffs, Trump lawsuits

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Lawmakers grilled Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on the Trump administration’s tariff policies and high profile lawsuits in the administration. Bessent, speaking before the Senate Banking,...

WATCH: Senate Dems: ‘We in Illinois need to tax’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Senate Democrats are pushing for higher taxes on digital advertising, billionaires and corporations. At the Illinois...
Poll: Americans say cutting government spending is best way to reduce debt

Poll: Americans say cutting government spending is best way to reduce debt

By Emily RodriguezThe Center Square A majority of Americans say cutting government spending is the best way to lower debt and costs, a new poll from the National Taxpayers Union...
Illinois senator seeks immediate expulsions for student sexual assault

Illinois senator seeks immediate expulsions for student sexual assault

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state senator is renewing a push to change state law to require the immediate...
Minnesota protest investigations spark free speech debate

Minnesota protest investigations spark free speech debate

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As the Trump administration moves forward with investigations around protests in Minneapolis, free speech groups are raising red flags. Aaron Terr, director of public advocacy...
HBO MAX

HBO Max Orders Cop Drama Pilot ‘American Blue’ to Film in Joliet

Article Summary: HBO Max has ordered a pilot for a new police drama titled "American Blue," with production scheduled to begin in Joliet and Chicago this April. Starring Milo Ventimiglia...
Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-sheriff employee ordered to repay $35,000

Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-sheriff employee ordered to repay $35,000

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A judge has ordered a former Cook County Sheriff’s office employee to pay more than $35,000 in...
Routh sentenced to life in prison for assassination attempt on Trump

Routh sentenced to life in prison for assassination attempt on Trump

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Ryan Routh, the North Carolina native who lived in Hawaii, has been sentenced to life in prison on conviction of going to Florida attempting to...
INVESTIGATION: Wisconsin university closes DEI unit but keeps most staff working on equity issues

INVESTIGATION: Wisconsin university closes DEI unit but keeps most staff working on equity issues

By Jared StrongThe Center Square After concerns were raised about spending on DEI, the University of Wisconsin-Madison shuttered a department but kept most of the staff and their titles working...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Will County Public Works Advances $1.9 Million Improvement for Wilmington-Peotone Road

Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee has authorized a nearly $2 million contract for Phase I...
Chicago’s $41 billion financial hole exposes city’s pension crisis

Chicago’s $41 billion financial hole exposes city’s pension crisis

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago finished fiscal year 2024 with a $41.1 billion gap between the money it has available...
Will Dial-A-Ride Service

Will County Public Works: Access Will County Dial-a-Ride Expands to All 24 Townships, Eliminating Borders

Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026 Article Summary:In a major overhaul of county transit, officials presented a quarterly report confirming that the Access Will County Dial-a-Ride...
Murder Suspect

Suspect Captured in Execution-Style Murder of Momence Bar Owner

Article Summary: Authorities have arrested a 47-year-old Indiana man in connection with the fatal shooting of Courtney Drysdale, the owner of a bar in rural Momence. The suspect was apprehended...
Early voting starts Thursday in most Illinois jurisdictions

Early voting starts Thursday in most Illinois jurisdictions

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Early voting is scheduled to begin Thursday in most Illinois jurisdictions for the state’s Democratic and Republican...
Beecher Fire Protection District graphic.2

Beecher Fire District Imposes Fees for Excessive Lift Assists

Beecher Fire Protection District Meeting | December 18, 2025 Article Summary: The Beecher Fire Protection District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a new ordinance establishing fees for "excessive" lift assists....