Illinois budget allows governor to spend billions in federal COVID-19 aid without legislative input

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Chicago Tribune

CHICAGO — During the brief debate over a $42 billion state spending plan introduced in the closing hours of this year’s spring session, the Illinois Legislature’s Democratic majority outlined less than $3 billion in spending in the coming year from a massive infusion of federal coronavirus relief money. With the state in line to receive $8.1 billion from President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan, Democrats said they wanted to spend the money judiciously and avoid creating programs that would continue to demand fundingafter the one-time federal cash influx was gone. They said this year’s plan …

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