Illinois lawmakers clear major healthcare reforms, but House adjourns for holiday weekend with no bu

SPRINGFIELD — Amid behind-the-scenes squabbles and with final drafts still in flux, lawmakers cleared two key healthcare reforms Saturday but took no decisive floor action on three key budget bills.

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, said Saturday night that the House and Senate are “close to an agreement” on a budget, but he was sending legislators home until after the holiday weekend.

“Procedurally, the earliest an agreement could pass both chambers is next week,” Welch said in a ... Read more