From the Illinois Statehouse

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(AP) GOP stymies Senate ‘grand bargain’ revival and Illinois senators OK state-funded abortion coverage

–Republicans cut short an attempt by Illinois Senate Democrats to recharge the “grand bargain” budget compromise with time running out on the legislative session. The grand bargain is a package of legislation Senate leaders designed last winter to break what has become a two-year logjam on an annual spending plan. But sticking points continue to be GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner’s demands for restrictions on workers’ compensation payouts and a permanent property tax freeze for homeowners. Democratic Senate President John Cullerton of Chicago tried to call workers’ comp and tax-freeze legislation Rauner won’t accept. Republican Leader Chrstine Radognoof Lemont declined to let her bills go up for a vote. Cullerton says he can’t compromise on the bills further. Radogno says he has to and that the two sides are “very close.”

–A measure expanding public financing for abortions in Illinois is headed to the governor after Senate approval. Senators voted 33-22 in favor of the plan on Wednesday. It would permit abortion coverage by state employee health insurance and Medicaid funds.  The proposal would also safeguard abortion access by striking statutory language expressing the state’s intent to criminalize the procedure if the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized it is ever overturned.  It now moves to Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk. He publicly opposed the bill ahead of a House vote last month amid calls from conservative groups to veto it.  Democrats argued the proposal would treat low-income women and state workers equitably.  Republicans contended taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be used to finance the procedure.

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