The Illinois House convenes Wednesday and faces a decision on legislation that could free up money owed to local governments.
The session comes a day after legislative leaders and Gov. Bruce Rauner gathered in a rare meeting to discuss an elusive budget agreement. Illinois has no spending plan for the year that began July 1.
The House overwhelmingly endorsed legislation in November to authorize releasing $1.9 billion in already-collected tax revenue that is distributed to city and county governments. It includes taxes on motor fuel to maintain local roads and a cellphone-call tax supporting emergency-dispatch services.
The measure was not sent to the Senate for consideration. Chicago Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan said Tuesday it might have spending added before going to the Senate.
