The briefs

Regional hearing on state budget

State Rep. Jack Franks will host a regional hearing on the state budget with state Sen. Pam Althoff and state Rep. Mike Tryon at 6:30 p.m. today at the McHenry County College Conference Center, 8900 Route 14 in Crystal Lake.

The hearing is designed to give community leaders, business owners, labor officials, service providers, advocacy organizations, health care facilities, school districts, colleges and local residents an opportunity to learn more about state finances and to weigh in with their own views about what lawmakers should make the state budget's funding priorities.

Legislators will use the information gathered at regional hearings, taking place throughout the state over the next several weeks, to help direct their efforts to construct a fiscally responsible, balanced budget.