×
Top Stories
Unit 5 Esports team makes history with state tournament finishFamily, friends, supporters honor fallen Illinois police officersIconic Summer Camp Festival canceled, future uncertainConspiracy charge dismissed for 'Broadview 6' as other ICE protesters sue over post-arrest DNA collectionStriking ISU staff return to work after ratifying new 5-year contractPeoria man convicted of murder in connection with 2024 deadly shootingIllinois legislators gear up for final budget talksIllinois lawmakers question progress under Evidence-Based Funding for public educationChicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, other leaders press lawmakers for more fundingIllinois State Board of Education wants to revamp how it counts low-income studentsPeoria homicides up, shootings down: Police reportFeds investigate Illinois schools over gender ideology curriculumSenate committee passes bill to protect prescription info for trans, abortion patientsPeoples Gas customers to see minor credits after settlement with AG's officeSAFE-T Act back in spotlight after killing of Chicago Police officerAfter 42 years, Bloomington's La Gondola Spaghetti House closesPeoria County Sheriff's Office locates and captures Tazewell County fugitiveISU and union to return to bargaining table on Monday after nearly a month long strikeAccountability Commission refers federal agents for investigation, possible prosecution for conduct last fallCentral Catholic's Head Coach Debbie Coffman retiring

Senator Barickman “stunned” by Gov. Pritzker’s “harsh political rhetoric” during the budget address

Feb 19, 2021 | 12:36 PM
State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington). (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – Just days removed from Gov. Pritzker’s budget address, one state senator says he was “stunned” by the Governors’ “harsh political rhetoric” during his speech.

On Wednesday, Gov. Pritzker unveiled his 2021 budget proposal, which did not include a tax hike. However, Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) said the speech did have unnecessary rhetoric.

“First of all, I was stunned at the harsh partisan rhetoric that I heard from the Governor in his budget address. I can’t point you to another budget address for which the person standing at the microphone took so many just over-the-top rhetorical political swings at Republicans. And for me, I’m a guy who worked with this Governor over the years. I mean, I’ve broken with the party and worked with him to try to forge bipartisan agreements.

“For him to make those attacks, I think, were totally unjustified. I think the public is fed up with that level of rhetoric, and they expect more. I tell you, I expect more out of all of us, including the Governor.”

WATCH: Gov. Pritzker delivers virtual budget address from the Illinois State Fairgrounds. 

Barickman said last year Republicans sent recommendations and ideas for a budget, but Pritzker was unwilling to budge.

“For him (Pritzker) to come back to us in the middle of the year and I can tell you what he did; he placed a phone call to a leader and then later that afternoon he went public with an ‘I called them, and they didn’t have anything to offer,’ which is baloney. That’s just a political line that he’s using. We’ve (Republicans) have demonstrated all along the way; we’ve got ideas and reforms. We’ve put those forward, and we’ve tried to negotiate with the Governor on those, and to date, he’s been unwilling to accept those.”

He added Republicans would try to propose more ideas in the spring when the General Assembly reconvenes.

LISTEN: State Senator Jason Barickman spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller. 

Blake Haas can be reached at Blake.Haas@Cumulus.com.
On Air Now
Bleck & Abdalla
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM