News for February 2002 - Illinois Issues

News February

Budget seeks job cuts
Gov. George Ryan proposed a $52.8 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 that would cut 3,800 jobs and shutter aging correctional and mental health facilities. The budget also boosts per-pupil spending for education by about $400 to nearly $5,000 by eliminating 22 grant programs.
For more infomration:
http://www200.state.il.us/PressReleases/
ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=10&RecNum=1684

Illinois Issues, February 21, 2002

Court studies child custody
A 15-judge panel formed by the Illinois Supreme Court will search for better ways to handle child custody and adoption cases. The committee, which includes judges from throughout the state who have experience in those cases, was charged with coming up with methods to speed up trials and appeals.

Illinois Issues, February 7, 2002

Drug coverage for seniors
The state has a new formula to help seniors pay for prescription medication that expands eligibility and benefits. The program, which begins June 2, is expected to cover 368,000 seniors, up from 140,000. The plan will be funded through federal and state cost-sharing and drug manufacturer rebates.

Illinois Issues, February 7, 2002

Mechanics settle
United Airlines and mechanics reached a tentative settlement that would give those workers their first pay hike since 1994.

Race for governor
Michael Bakalis, a former comptroller and the last elected state school superintendent, dropped out of the race for governor, citing an inability to raise campaign cash. That decision narrowed the field in the March 19 Democratic primary to three candidates: U.S. Rep. Rod Blagojevich, former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris and former Chicago schools chief Paul Vallas.

AFSCME sues
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents state corrections workers, sued to stop Gov. George Ryan’s plans to privatize prison food services. Ryan called for that move in an effort to eat into the state’s budget deficit, but the union contends it would violate a state law that bars privatization of security facilities.