Illinois budget leans on gas-tax windfall, boosts lawmakers’ pay

Illinois lawmakers are finalizing a nearly $56 billion budget backed by a windfall from higher gas prices, diverting about $150 million of gas-tax revenue from mass transit to operating expenses while approving a 3.2% cost-of-living increase for lawmakers to $101,450 and similar raises for the governor and agency heads; the plan also relies on new revenue ideas (digital advertising tax, fantasy-sports tax) and includes a one-time $400 SNAP payment for residents who lose benefits under federal rules, with education funding maintained and no layoffs.