Rauner signs bill to free up gas tax, lottery money

This includes motor fuel tax distributions that go to local governments for purposes, such as snow plowing and road fix.

The legislation that provides $1 billion to the Illinois State Lottery will head to the Senate, which is expected to be back in session this week.

The legislation also would funnel money to the Illinois Lottery for prize payouts and ensure low-income families get help paying heating bills after both programs were thrown into turmoil due to the ongoing budget impasse between the Republican governor and Democrats who control the legislature.

Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger says she will make a priority of payments to domestic violence shelters after Gov. Bruce Rauner approved a stop-gap funding measure.

Funding to local governments, 911 call centers, lottery winners, the Special Olympics, HIV/Aids prevention, the state portion of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, police and fire training, veteran’s homes and other programs will be restored thanks to legislation passed on December 7.

The state senate has followed the House, approving $3.1 billion to be released to local communities. But among the spending he wanted in the bill are millions of dollars for his state agencies to keep operating.

Rauner and majority Democrats in the General Assembly have been unable to agree on a spending plan for the year that began July 1.

Lawmakers hope this bill will lead to more productivity in 2016.

Things aren’t merry for everyone, though: public colleges and universities are still waiting for state funding.