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JACKSON, Mo.—AP—A 73-year-old jail inmate is dead after collapsing in a southeast Missouri courtroom.

The Southeast Missourian reports that Daniel Stroder of Wappapello, Mo., died Monday. He was in court in Jackson, Mo., for arraignment on felony charges that he violated probation by writing a bad check.

Coroner John Clifton says an autopsy is planned.

Sheriff John Jordan says Stroder was in court in front of a judge when he began to feel ill. The judge was preparing to furlough Stroder when he collapsed. Bailiffs offered aid until medical personnel arrived and took Stroder to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri's revenues are up nearly 9 percent through the first two-thirds of the state's fiscal year.

Figures released Monday by the state Office of Administration show Missouri's finances have improved mainly because of a decline in tax refunds and an increase in individual income tax collections.

Through February, net general revenues were up 8.7 percent compared with the same period a year earlier. The total includes a 5.5 percent increase in individual income taxes and a 16.5 percent decline in tax refunds. Sales tax collections have remained relatively flat for the fiscal year.

Missouri's 2013 budget year began last July and runs through the end of this June.

Tax collections in February alone were virtually unchanged from February 2012. But for the entire fiscal year, collections were up $394 million.

CHICAGO (AP) - Gov. Pat Quinn says the state budget he'll present this week will be "hard and difficult" because of Illinois' massive pension debt.

The Democrat told reporters Monday he has to lay out the facts for the lawmakers to see the strain Illinois' nearly $100 billion in unfunded liability is going to affect other areas. He says that includes education.

Quinn gives his budget address Wednesday.

His administration has already projected a cut of about $400 million to education. Quinn says the agreement reached with the state's largest union last week is a good step forward.

After 15 months at the bargaining table, Quinn's administration and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees reached an agreement where workers will pay more of their health costs.