State lawmakers pass budget

SPRINGFIELD – Without Republican support, the Democrat-controlled General Assembly on Tuesday approved a budget that diverts $1.2 billion from the pension funds for university workers, state employees, teachers, judges and lawmakers in order to boost spending for education, expand health care for the working poor and pay for millions worth of Chicago-area special projects.

"I believe it's a good budget," said state Rep. Gary Hannig, D-Litchfield, chief budget negotiator for the House Democrats. "And it's something that's going to help the state of Illinois and the people we represent move forward."

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