Barickman not optimistic lawmakers will pass budget on time

Posted on April 5, 2018
Jason Barickman
State Sen. Jason Barickman isn’t sounding optimistic about getting a budget deal done in time this year. (Photo by Eric Stock/WJBC)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois lawmakers will return to Springfield next week in hopes of crafting a budget this spring after an unprecedented stretch of two straight fiscal years without a spending plan.

Republican State Sen. Jason Barickman of Bloomington told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin he expects more gamesmanship from the Democratic leaders to prevent anything that might help Gov. Bruce Rauner win reelection in November.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Barickman on WJBC.

“(Illinois House Speaker Mike) Madigan is a seasoned pro at controlling that legislative process to ensure that,” Barickman snarked. “I don’t think Madigan will want to give a full-year budget because it will be perceived as a win for Rauner.”

A key part of the governor’s budget proposal would require school districts to pick up the cost of teacher pensions, a move that critics say would lead to property tax hikes.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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