Illinois Lawmakers

The Illinois House and Senate have advanced legislation to end free health insurance premiums for most state retirees. Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno (R) Lemont discusses plans to have retirees pay for coverage based on the size of their retirement incomes and years of service.

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This week’s edition of Illinois Lawmakers features a “newsmaker” interview with House Republican Leader Tom Cross detailing the General Assembly’s most recent efforts to reign in spending on state employee pensions and retirement benefits.

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Governor Pat Quinn has rolled out a series of proposals to save Illinois billions of dollars in future Medicaid and public employee pension costs, but lawmakers are nowhere near agreement on what parts of the plans might eventually make it into legislation.

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The budget-making process is moving along in Springfield as lawmakers struggle with paying down billions of dollars in overdue bills while keeping state government afloat. Jak Tichenor talks with Illinois legislative leaders about the touch choices ahead during the countdown to adjournment on May 31st.

Governor Pat Quinn delivers his 2012 Budget Address before a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly. Rich Miller from capitolfax.com provides a look ahead before the governor’s remarks. Illinois Public Radio’s Amanda Vinicky provides reaction to the governor’s address. Speaker of the House Rep. Michael Madigan (D) Chicago provides his reaction to the governor’s outline for the coming fiscal year, along with additional reaction from Rep. Patti Bellock (R) Hinsdale, Asst. Senate Republican Leader Sen. Matt Murphy (R) Palatine, and Senate President John Cullerton (D) Chicago.