CHICAGO (AP) — Gov. Bruce Rauner has summoned lawmakers into special session to settle the public education funding issue weeks before the school bell is set to ring. The Republican ordered the House and Representatives and Senate to report to Springfield Wednesday. This was after the Senate missed a noon deadline to send to him a school-finance plan legislators approved in May. Rauner pledged to issue an amendatory veto of the measure. He suggested he wanted to excise a portion of the bill that would require the state to pay the employer portion of Chicago Public Schools’ teacher pension costs — like every other district. John Cullerton is the Democratic Senate president from Chicago. He says he wants to discuss the matter with Rauner instead of starting a costly special session. The bill is SB1 .
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A major credit agency has raised debt ratings and affirmed others for seven Illinois universities. S&P Global Ratings credited the state’s enactment of an annual budget this month for the first time in two years. S&P raised its debt ratings for Southern Illinois University, Governors State University, Northeastern Illinois University and Eastern Illinois University. It affirmed ratings for the University of Illinois, Illinois State University and Western Illinois University. Each university had its rating removed from “credit watch negative.” The outlook for Western Illinois is “positive.” The others rated “stable” outlooks. S&P says the impact of budget passage over Gov. Bruce Rauner’s vetoes is not yet clear. It says hundreds of millions of dollars the state comptroller plans to distribute by the end of the month is crucial for liquidity.
CHICAGO (AP) — More than 100 sculptures of German shepherds are standing guard around downtown Chicago to pay tribute to the police department’s canine unit. The public art installation is part of the K9s for Cops campaign organized by the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. In addition to honoring police dogs, the campaign also is a tribute to Chicago police officers who have died and will raise money to support PAWS Chicago animal shelter. The exhibit is similar to the “Cows on Parade” and other art projects that have been erected along Chicago’s streets in past years. The dog sculptures are sponsored by local companies or people, and have been designed by local artists. They’ll be displayed through Labor Day then will be auctioned off. Foundation Director Phil Cline says they hope to raise $250,000.