3 months without a budget, lawmakers to be out for weeks

Posted on September 30, 2015

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton said the Senate won’t convene again until Oct. 20. (Photo courtesy www.ilga.gov)

By Illinois News Network

SPRINGFIELD – They were originally scheduled to come back to Springfield next week but now state Senators won’t be back until Oct. 20.

A spokesperson for Illinois Senate President John Cullerton said the Senate has been able to deal with vetoes in an efficient manner during summer session days and have passed a number of bills that are awaiting action in the House, including appropriations for child care, money for the Monetary Award Program, human services funding and what the Democrat says is a property tax compromise.

Cullerton’s office said they are hopeful that in the next three weeks before the newly scheduled Senate session there is measurable progress on the budget.

The Illinois House isn’t back in session until Oct. 20.

Hearings this week

Despite not being scheduled back in session until Oct. 20, senators with the Higher Education Committee have two meetings this week to focus on the current financial state of higher education. The first meeting is Wednesday at Kennedy-King College in Chicago will evaluate the current budget impasses impacts on colleges and communities. A Senate Higher Education Committee scheduled Thursday at John A. Logan College in Carterville will focus on the same subject.

As of Tuesday afternoon the House does not have any committee meetings scheduled.

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