Illinois politicians race to finish budget before deadline

Lawmakers in Illinois are scrambling to finalize a $55 billion budget before their weekend deadline. The main focus is on taxes and spending, not the Chicago Bears' stadium plans. Some politicians want to tax big tech companies and wealthy residents to pay for services. Others worry about raising costs for regular people. A surprise source of money could come from higher gas prices. Extra sales tax from expensive gasoline might add $350 million to state funds. But environmental groups warn against using this money for the general budget. They say it could set a bad precedent and hurt public transit funding.Meanwhile, the Bears stadium talks are moving slowly. The team wants tax breaks for a new stadium in Arlington Heights. Some politicians support the idea, but others call it a giveaway to a billion-dollar business. The team also wants $855 million for roads and infrastructure. Another big issue is housing. The governor wants to allow more multi-family homes in areas currently zoned for single houses. But some residents fear this could raise rents and push out affordable housing. Progress has stalled, and the bill might be delayed until summer. Progressives also pushed for stricter rules on data centers, which use huge amounts of energy and water. But the bill faces resistance. Supporters say more talks are needed to balance industry needs with environmental concerns.