Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed a nearly $40 billion state budget along with a measure that could lead to enacting a graduated income tax in Illinois.
The Democrat inked the measures Wednesday afternoon at a state government office in downtown Chicago. He says a "new era of fiscal responsibility has arrived in Illinois."
The budget increases spending for education and the state's child welfare agency. It fully funds the state's $9 billion pension contribution and borrows $1.2 billion to pay $6.7 billion in overdue bills. The budget also includes a $1,600 annual pay raise for lawmakers.
The income tax measure adds a constitutional amendment question to 2020 ballots asking voters whether they want rates to increase with income.