By Dave Dahl/Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Another day of action in the Illinois General Assembly is ahead, with the budget the focus of a House Committee of the Whole and a temporary budget – covering essential services and employee pay in July – for a final floor vote in the Senate.
The governor’s already expressed his disdain for a temporary budget.
“I think there’s a shared sense that we want to get state employees paid,” said State Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago). “I certainly hope he considers signing it. If he doesn’t, at least we have taken action where we’ve been trying to cover that. As well as some of the most critical services.”
Steans called the prospect of trying to override the governor’s veto of the Fiscal Year 2016 budget “iffy,” citing attendance issues in both chambers. There’s another matter of interest today.
State Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton) wants to pass a property tax freeze, even though local schools may not like it. “I know, but we passed a good education funding bill. That was signed by the governor, and it shows we can work together. It was a good bill – good funding. They should be okay for the next two years.”
Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) is regarded by some as a mediator, a negotiator – the adult in the room. How will he get everyone to realize time has passed, and a budget must come together?
“I’ll go back to my experience as being an adult with five children,” he quipped.
