Illinois Senate Approves $53.1B Budget with $750M Tax Hikes

The Illinois Senate approved a $53.1 billion state budget, which includes $750 million in tax hikes and a 5% pay raise for lawmakers and top officials. The budget, which now moves to the House, emphasizes education, public safety, and homelessness prevention. Despite some Democratic opposition and Republican criticism, the budget aims to address various state needs while also supporting the ongoing migrant crisis. The House must pass the budget without changes for it to reach Gov. J.B. Pritzker's desk.