By Illinois News Network
SPRINGFIELD – A sham, a scam, a fraud, a joke – that’s how House republicans characterized budget bill amendments passed Wednesday that restores social service programs being reduced or eliminated in the proposed 2016 fiscal year.
House Speaker Michael Madigan originally offered up an amendment to House Bill 4141 that reflected the governor’s proposed cuts to various social services programs. Republicans were blindsided and ended up largely voting present on the measure. Fifteen amendments were then added to the bill for votes, something republicans said circumvented the standard committee-to-floor process.
State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, told his colleagues that Illinois residents are tired of politics as usual in the state and this is an example of Chicago politics at its worst. He said people around this great state deserve better.
“This is horrible politics,” Mitchell said. “It’s not fair to seniors. It’s not fair to people with Alzheimers. It’s not fair to people with autism. Its not fair to people with disabilities. I’m mad, I’m disappointed. We deserve better.”
Democratic Representative Litesa Wallace of Rockford said the funding is important, regardless of nobody knowing the amendments would be considered so sudden.
“None of us had this information any earlier than anybody else, but these issues need to be solved and our constituents are calling upon us to do that,” Wallace said.
House Democrats used their super majority to pass nine amendments to House Bill 4141 restoring funding for things ranging from funding autism to indigent burials, but the bill remains on the calendar for possible passage in the future.
State Sen. Jason Barickman said Republicans are doing more than just standing in the way of a Democrat-controlled legislature as a budget deadline looms.
Barickman tells WJBC’s Scott Laughlin, Rauner’s move to restore $26 million in cuts to human services when tax revenue came in higher than expected was a sign the GOP is willing to meet the Democrats halfway as they craft a new budget.
“The governor is working with the Democrats and there’s going to be people saying ‘Cut this, don’t cut that’,” Barickman said. “We are going to try to come to a common-sense agreement.”
But Barickman said Republicans don’t want any tax increases, he said spending must be cut first. Lawmakers have until the end of the month to get a budget done on time.
PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Barickman on WJBC.
Eric Stock contributed to this report.
