Illinois lawmakers set to vote on stopgap spending deal

(AP) — Illinois lawmakers plan votes Thursday on a stopgap spending deal that would ensure schools open in August and would fund state services for the next six months, but it won't end the ideological divide that led to the yearlong budget standoff.

The plan includes the $235 million general increase the Republican governor proposed and a $250 million "equity" grant to help schools with low-income students.

Part of the deal includes passing legislation to allow Chicago to raise $250 million in property taxes to help with teacher pension payments, according to two state officials with direct knowledge of the negotiations who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the agreement is not finalized.

The officials said the deal contains a proposal to have the state cover future pension costs beginning in June, like it does for all other Illinois school districts, but only if lawmakers pass legislation to reform the overall pension system.

Rauner and Democrats who control the Legislature never did agree on a budget plan for the fiscal year now ending, although Rauner signed legislation to keep schools open and road construction moving — major functions of state government that won't continue July 1 without an agreed-upon blueprint.