PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Illinois passed a record $55.2 billion budget this year, an increase of $2 billion, but the debate is growing over who it helps and who it hurts, as well as criticism about the budget process itself.

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle joined “WMBD News: On the Record” to break down what’s in the budget, and what it means for you.

“Overall, I think its a fair budget,” said state Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria). “But you can look through the budget and you’ll find areas where things made you satisfied or things didn’t make you satisfied. But that’s what the budget process is.”

On the other side, state Sen. Li Arellano took issue with the budget saying it was unduly burdensome on taxpayers. He voted against the “reckless” budget plan, he said.

“So my biggest concern is Illinois just recently became the highest overall tax burden state for workers and families in the whole United States,” said the Dixon Republican. “And that has a huge problem for economic development for just raising a family.

“I have five kids, so I feel that directly. So that is an issue. We shouldn’t be number one in the tax burden put on our constituents,” he said.

The budget raises nearly $1 billion in new revenue from sports betting, delivery fees and limits on business tax decisions. In response, FanDuel announced June 10 they plan to slap a 50-cent transaction fee on online bets placed in Illinois. 

Koehler defended the new fees.

“It doesn’t hurt consumers or small businesses as much as as increasing personal taxes or sales taxes. So, you know, we did have to find some revenues,” said the Peoria Democrat. “Overall, this budget has a lot for people to be appreciative of, but it also has plenty for people to not be real happy with.

“There are a lot of things that I didn’t see in the budget that I really wish would have been there,” Koehler said.

Soil and water conservation is one of those provisions that Koehler said is missing from the budget for the second year in a row.

“This is the lifeblood of Illinois, our soil. We’re the most productive agricultural state in the country. And, for us not to put resources and investment back into soil and water, and things that help farmers. I think it’s very shortsighted,” he said.Play Video

Breaking down the $55 billion budget with state Senator Arellano

Arellano, who is passionate about disability rights, said one good thing in the budget is a raise for disability workers like direct support professionals.

“They were making less than 150% of minimum wage. And the governor and the majority Democrats did adjust that. It’s flat. They didn’t give them an inflationary adjustment. So they still cut some of the hours, but they put $43 million back into, quite frankly, the folks who need it the most, who cannot advocate for themselves. So that was something I agreed with. That was a win,” he said.

Koeher said the provision did not go far enough. He said the budget raises pay for disability workers by 80 cents an hour, but he had a bill that was going to raise it by $2 an hour.

“We’re not able to attract and keep and retain the kind of trained staff that we need to in this area. So that was a disappointment,” he said.

Arellano, a freshman, said his biggest problem was not necessarily with the content of the budget, but the process itself, which he has called “reckless.”

“That bill, we had five hours to look at it. That is not enough to have a public discussion and discourse. So we need to end that practice,” he said.

Arellano is calling for ethical and structural reforms, as well as end to gerrymandering. Democrats hold a supermajority in both chambers of the General Assembly.

“So I think we need to put an end to the practice of shell bills, gut and replace amendments that are happening with just hours notice, for example, the revenue package for this budget,” he said. “Quite frankly, I also think we need to end the practice of gerrymandering because it tilts power too much in one direction, and it’s too easy for the party and majority to just cut out all discussion from journalists, from the public and from the minority party.”

Koehler responded to the criticisms, saying input from Republicans is welcome and desired.

“I think in the 19 years I’ve done [the] budget, I’ve heard that argument every year. So, if you want to have transparency, get involved,” he said.

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