By Joe Ragusa
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate has approved a one-month, $2.3 billion budget. It covers the payroll for more than 64,000 state workers and “essential services” like police protection, mental health services and sex offender tracking.
State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) and 14 other Republicans voted “present.” Barickman said he’s frustrated with Democrats for passing an unbalanced budget.
“Why not then go the next step and just go ahead and pass the tax increase that is required with that budget?” Barickman asked. “And if you’re unwilling to ask your own members to vote for that tax increase and in fact, you ask Republicans to cooperate with you on that, or compromise, in essence, then there has to be some give and take.”
Barickman said the proposal is no different than the out-of-balance 12-month budget bill that was vetoed by Gov. Bruce Rauner.
The proposal passed also passed with a veto-proof majority in the House last week and now heads to Rauner’s desk. Rauner has said he’s opposed to a short-term spending plan.
LISTEN: WJBC’s Joe Ragusa discusses the $2.3 billion one-month budget with State Sen. Jason Barickman.
Joe Ragusa can be reached at joe.ragusa@cumulus.com.
