By Greg Bishop/Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ governor says state lawmakers are derelict in their duty to pass a balanced budget with reforms to grow the economy. Plans by the House to hold meetings throughout next month to try and reach an agreement are a sham, he said.
Lawmakers blew a Wednesday midnight deadline to pass a budget with simple majorities.
Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, laid out his plan for this month.
“Our plan is for the House, Democrats and Republicans, to work through the month of June to continue to work on budget making, working on a balanced budget,” Madigan said.
Gov. Bruce Rauner said lawmakers should stay in Springfield instead of holding hearings around the state.
“Don’t go through a process of just trying to create phony headlines around the state,” Rauner said. “Get here in Springfield, pass a truly balanced budget with structural changes to grow more jobs and protect our taxpayers, especially our property taxpayers.”
The governor didn’t indicate if he would call a special session.
State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, and his colleagues prepare for an overtime session in the coming weeks.
“It’s obviously a disappointment the fact that we didn’t come to an agreement on a budget,” Brady said. “At this time indications are that we are going to go into June.”
State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, puts all the blame at the party in power.
“Despite our sincere efforts to work across the aisle in good-faith, Democrats chose to take their own route, pushing an unbalanced budget, a tax increase without real reforms, a watered-down workers’ compensation reform bill, and no meaningful property tax relief for the people of this state,” Brady said. “More of the same isn’t what people need.”
The next fiscal year begins July 1.
