State Sen. Jason Barickman said local governments would need less property tax revenue of the state reduced its mandates on them. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Jason Barickman)

By Eric Stock 

BLOOMINGTON – The Illinois Senate could vote as early as Thursday on a measure to sweep $580 million from some state funds to help fill budget gaps. 

State Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, told WJBC's Scott Laughlin, such an action is nothing but a stunt by Senate Democrats that undermines Gov. Bruce Rauner's attempt to manage a budget shortfall totaling $1.6 billion. 

"You have single parents who are at risk of losing their child care provider because they will shut down," Barickman said. "Rather than engaging in a good faith negotiation with the governor's office, the Senate Democrats said 'We are just going to run a bill to sweep these funds and blame the Republicans if they won't go along with it.' " 

According to the Chicago Tribune, the five Republicans on the panel voted "present."

Child care is one of three key areas where the state could run out of money in the coming weeks, the others pay for state prison workers and court reporters. 

Property tax freeze

A two-year property tax freeze is just one of a number of ideas Rauner has proposed to rejuvenate Illinois economy, though it would mean less money for local taxing bodies and schools. 

Barickman said the plan is to limit mandates so local governments could live on less. 

"If you encourage local governments to be more efficient through consolidation or otherwise, you can end up in a situation where those local units of governments need less money," Barickman said. "That's the goal here." 

Rauner proposed the property tax freeze during his State of the State address. He has suggested one way to cut local spending is by consolidating government agencies.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen's interview with Barickman on WJBC. 

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].