https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/illinois-workers-paychecks-to-shrink-after-house-overrides-gov-rauner/article_7869beb8-6297-11e7-9f6e-97e7e61b3f3a.html

SPRINGFIELD, IL-  (Greg Bishop and Dan McCaleb, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is the link below.)

The next paycheck Illinois’ workers receive will have less money in it than the one before it. So will the one after. And the one after that.

For the first time in more than two years, the state has an enacted budget, but it comes at a significant cost to taxpayers.

House Speaker Michael Madigan got exactly the 71 votes he needed to overturn Rauner’s vetoes. Ten Republicans joined 61 Democrats in voting to override.

“The people in this chamber did not do what was easy today, but we did what was right for the future of out state,” Madigan said on the House floor. “There are a lot of things that will be said about this vote, but the most important thing I can point to is that Republican legislators and Democratic legislators got this done together.”

NOTE:  The Southern Illinois Legislators did not change their vote as Dave Severin (R-Benton) voted no.  Terri Braynt (R-Murphysboro) and Brandon Phelps (D-Norris City) voted yes.

Area senators John Cavaletto (R-Salem) and Jerry Costello II (D-Smithston) voted no as well.

http://www.wandtv.com/story/35826818/substance-thrown-at-gov-rauners-office-lockdown-lifted

SPRINGFIELD, IL – (WAND, TV.  Please click on the link above for the full story and video.   Here is an excerpt below.)

The Illinois State Capitol was on lockdown after Capitol Police arrested a suspect for throwing white powder near the Governor’s office.

According to WAND-TV Capitol Reporter Michon Lindstrom, a woman was arrested for throwing the white substance in front of the doorway to Governor Bruce Rauner’s office, the Lt. Governor’s office and the House Gallery on Thursday afternoon.

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/billion-in-tax-hikes-on-line-as-house-returns-to/article_e97d1814-6258-11e7-ac7f-b7c2b1018b36.html

SPRINGFIELD, IL – (Greg Bishop, Illinois News Network.)  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt,)

Lawmakers in the Illinois House return to the Capitol this afternoon for an historic vote that could cost state taxpayers more than $5 billion in tax increases.

Gov. Bruce Rauner is urging lawmakers in the House not to override his vetoes of the tax hikes and $36.5 billion budget, saying that without reforms Illinois will soon be back for more money from taxpayers.

The Senate already voted to override Rauner’s vetoes. Today’s vote in the House will determine their fate, assuming a quorum of representatives are present. The House didn’t have quorums when called into session both Tuesday and Wednesday. A successful override, which will take 71 votes, means the 32 percent income tax increase and 33 percent corporate tax increase go into effect immediately. Anything short of 71 votes and Rauner’s veto stands and lawmakers will have to get back to work.

BELLEVILLE, IL – (Stephanie Baumer, KMOV-TV.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt and video below.)

A SWAT team assisted police in Belleville during a standoff with an armed man on Tuesday.

Police said, Donald Martin, 39, a resident in the 620 block of South 20th Street became irritated and began firing off his shotgun after fireworks were set off in the neighborhood Tuesday.