* Here you go…

* Sun-Times | Pritzker proposes budget with nearly $1 billion boost for students — from preschool to college: Education, human services, pensions and health care would receive a large majority of the governor’s $49.6 billion budget. “I’ve laid out a budget agenda that does everything possible to invest in the education of our children,” he told lawmakers.

* Tribune | Gov. J.B. Pritzker stresses education in $49.6 billion budget proposal while blasting a ‘virulent strain of nationalism’ in national schools debate: “There is a virulent strain of nationalism plaguing our nation, led by demagogues who are pushing censorship, with a particular attack right now on school board members and library trustees,” Pritzker said.

* Capitol News Illinois | Pritzker’s second-term agenda buoyed by ongoing strong revenue expectations: All told, the governor outlined a Fiscal Year 2024 budget that anticipates $49.9 billion in general revenues, a $1.4 billion decrease from current FY 23 estimates. Excluding current-year contributions to the state’s “rainy day” fund, the $49.6 billion in approved FY 24 spending represents a drop-off of about $350 million.

* WCIA | Democrats ‘pleased’ by Pritzker’s 2023 Illinois budget address: “It is paramount that we prioritize hardworking families and continue to make fiscally responsible decisions that put our state in a better position for generations to come,” Illinois Speaker of the House Chris Welch said. “This proposal by Governor Pritzker proves that Democrats are united in those goals. This budget address is a great starting point for our legislative negotiations, and I look forward to building on our recent success.”

* Capitol News Illinois | After Pritzker’s budget address, lawmakers jockey for their own spending priorities: While Democrats applauded Pritzker’s vision, some also noted the governor’s proposal would only spend the minimum dollar amount – $350 million – required by state law to increase Illinois’ funding for K-12 education, as outlined in a landmark 2018 law overhauling school funding.

* WBEZ | Pritzker pledges more money for education and child care in his budget address: In the first big swing of his second term, Pritzker also underscored his work the past four years in stabilizing Illinois’ finances after a two-year budget impasse under his GOP predecessor crippled state operations, hollowed out social service agencies and put egg on the state’s face nationally.

* Politico | Illinois governor slams ‘demagogues’ who attack schools, libraries: He didn’t mention Ron DeSantis, but it was clear that Pritzker’s ire was aimed at Florida’s Republican governor and his allies. The attack is the latest in an ongoing feud between the two ambitious governors over DeSantis blocking an advanced placement course on African American studies from his state’s school curriculum. DeSantis also has signed the “Stop W.O.K.E Act,” which prohibits the teaching of critical race theory in Florida schools.

* AP | Illinois State leader quits after less than 2 years on job: The Illinois Pantagraph reported Wednesday that the school’s board of trustees approved Terri Goss Kinzy’s resignation Feb. 10. Board documents indicate her resignation was effective on Tuesday.

* Illinois Times | Mayoral endorsements cross political lines: When it comes to campaign fundraising, Springfield mayoral candidate Misty Buscher’s support from labor unions so far has been a factor in her lead over incumbent Mayor Jim Langfelder. With about $204,500 available at the close of 2022’s fourth quarter, Buscher, the current city treasurer, held an $86,334 edge in funds available compared with Langfelder, who had $118,202 available, according to reports filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections.

* WSIU | Two southern Illinois GOP lawmakers to lead working groups on public safety and student literacy: Illinois House Republicans Tuesday announced the formation of five Republican working groups to develop solutions on a broad range of legislative priorities for the 2023 spring session. State Representative Patrick Windhorst of Metropolis has been tapped to lead the working group on public safety.

* Sun-Times | Illinois should put consumers first on car insurance rate hikes: Hundreds of millions are at stake for Illinois drivers, who saw auto insurance premiums increase by more than $1.1 billion in 2022.

* Center Square | Ex-utility leader charged in Madigan corruption case doesn’t want mention of $200 million agreement at trial: Former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore doesn’t want a jury to know about how much she was paid, why she left her job, her political campaign contributions, or the $200 million ComEd paid to resolve a federal bribery probe involving former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, among other things.

* Sun-Times | Highland Park parade shooting suspect’s father indicted: Robert E. Crimo Jr. will be arraigned Thursday on seven counts of reckless conduct for sponsoring his son’s firearm ownership application in 2019.

* Tribune | Arlington Heights leader ‘excited’ and school districts waiting to see as news drops of Chicago Bears buying 326-acre property: A great deal of analysis and negotiations remain to be done, village leaders said. But the announcement Wednesday that the team bought the property for $197.2 million concludes more than a year of tentative negotiations between the village of Arlington Heights and the team as the Bears consider erecting a multibillion-dollar stadium and mixed-use commercial, residential and entertainment district on the 326-acre property.

* Barstool Sports | Justin Fields: ‘I hope we get a dome’: Fields explained his dismay with Bear weather, especially when having to deal with the wind. He said it’s difficult for him to run faster and he feels slower when it’s colder out.

* Fox Chicago | Illinois’ largest movie theater screen being built in Chicago suburb: Emagine Entertainment is the nation’s ninth-largest theater chain with locations in Frankfort and Chatham.