Democrats in the Illinois House say they’ll try to pass a state budget today. They say their plan is balanced — with spending cuts and tax increases.
Both Republicans and Democrats say they’ve been making progress, but they haven’t come to an agreement yet. Late last night, House Democrats introduced a new bill that would raise the state's individual income tax rate to 4.95 percent to help pay for it.
The budget vote was scheduled after a week’s worth of negotiations on both spending and Gov. Bruce Rauner’s political and economic agenda.
“We have a balanced budget. It is up on the board. It has come from the Senate. It is ready to go to the governor’s signature,” said chief Democratic budget negotiator Rep. Greg Harris. “People will be watching what we do. We have a chance to save this state, and I hope we don’t squander it.”
Both sides have been negotiating all week, but as of Thursday evening, had not come to an agreement. Harris says time is running out.
“We’re going to put it up for a vote," he said, "because we know that, on July 1 in the state of Illinois, we’re going to peering into the darkness if we do not have a budget. So this will be a moment of truth."
Illinois is less than 24 hours from beginning a third straight year without a budget. Republicans have said they won’t support the tax increases needed to balance the Illinois budget unless Democrats pass Rauner’s agenda.
Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan continues to blame Rauner for insisting that his own political agenda be a part of a budget solution.
“Here we are, the gentleman has persisted,” Madigan said. “He’s brought all these issues before the legislature. I think I’ve moved considerably to engage on all of these issues, and I will continue to engage on all of these issues. I don’t see that I’m being unreasonable. I’m here.”
If the spending bill and tax increases fail to pass, Democrats have a backup plan to vote on a series of emergency spending bills. The problem is that, without higher tax revenue, Illinois won’t have enough money to make good on those commitments.
Rauner says he’ll keep calling special sessions until legislators pass a budget.
- Illinois Public Radio Statehouse Reporter Brian Mackey and reporter Tony Arnold contributed to this report.