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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Police Say Lack Of Illinois Budget Making State Dangerous Place To Live

A police group says the lack of a state budget is making Illinois a more dangerous place to live.

Rauner touted proposals that would begin to inch toward his goal of reducing Illinois’ prison population by 25 percent over the next decade. But elsewhere in the Capitol, law enforcement officials warned that the lack of a state budget means crime prevention programs are shutting down.

“I am upset at the governor," Tom Weitzel, the police chief in Riverside, said.

Weitzel and his colleagues say killing off programs that intervene with delinquent juveniles will result in higher crime rates for years to come.

“I’ve written the governor letters. I’ve called him. I met with his staff. … I’ve met with my own state representatives. I met with them before I came to this press conference this morning,” Weitzel said. “Is it going anywhere? No."

Rauner refuses to negotiate on a budget until Democrats make Illinois law more favorable to businesses.

Brian Mackey formerly reported on state government and politics for NPR Illinois and a dozen other public radio stations across the state. Before that, he was A&E editor at The State Journal-Register and Statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.