Illinois leaders reach budget agreement for FY2024.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that Democrats have agreed to a budget that includes $250 million for Smart Start Illinois, aimed at making preschool affordable for every child in the state, and more funding for community college. However, some advocates are disappointed that the budget only accounts for a $2 raise for rehabilitation workers instead of the $4 they lobbied for. Republicans are also unhappy that items like tax credits for Research and Development and the Invest in Kids Scholarship were not included in the budget. The governor will need to sign the budget before the new fiscal year starts on July 1.