It’s day eight of the new fiscal year and there’s still no budget in place. The House will be in session later this week, but before they vote on a Senate-passed one-month budget measure, members of the Executive Committee will take up the bill. Senate Bill 2040 passed the Senate with the necessary votes last week and would appropriate more than $2 billion to various state departments.

In other news, wet weather is increasing the number of mosquitoes in central Illinois.  State health officials say despite the annoying bites, the pests don’t usually carry the sometimes deadly West Nile Virus.  There are ten counties across Illinois where West Nile has been confirmed, which include Macon and McLean County in Central Illinois. Anyone outdoors during the evening should wear long sleeves and insect repellent.