By RFD Radio/WFMB
SPRINGFIELD – There were no signs of a compromise or grand bargain to be had at the capitol on Wednesday night.
The Illinois House, led by a large number of Democrats, passed a nearly $40 billion state budget in a 63-53 vote. House Speaker Michael Madigan created the 500-page budget and Democrats say that they had to do something because Gov. Bruce Rauner isn’t doing anything to stop the 11-month old budget stalemate.
The plan received no votes from Republicans but plenty of their scorn. House Minority Leader Jim Durkin said the plan moves forward with spending $7 billion more than state revenues and ignores all the work that rank and file lawmakers have put in.
“I guess I want to be angry but this is an absolute joke,” Durbin said.
The budget would have be passed by the Senate, but Rauner has already indicated that he will veto the measure.
Comptroller Leslie Munger said the measure would will double the state’s $7 billion bill backlog and delay payments by as much as nine months.
