Legislator Says Illinoisans Must Be Prioritized in Budget as Revenue Shortfall Reported

A report detailing Illinois' budget forecast is warning of a huge drop in state revenues. The Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability said April receipts fell $1.8 billion compared to the same month the year prior. The COGFA report said while a substantial decline in revenues was anticipated, the extent of the decline is much steeper than the commission had projected. The news comes as lawmakers are putting together an annual spending plan as the spring legislative session winds down. After last week's "ComEd Four" guilty verdicts that dealt directly with corruption at the Illinois statehouse, the call for ethics reforms continue to grow.