Springfield, IL – Illinois might soon have a state budget as top lawmakers and the Governor appear close to an agreement. But it's a bit late for some state workers.
The tentative plan would borrow additional money to cover pension costs and allow more cash to go toward social service agencies. They had been targeted for severe cuts.
Governor Pat Quinn is also expected to move forward with about a billion dollars in other reductions.
The fight over an income tax hike appears to be silenced for now. Governor Quinn has backed off his push for the 50% increase after failing to get the needed legislative support.
Senate President John Cullerton says this full year budget proposal will keep government operating. But the Chicago Democrat, who backs the tax hike, adds the state's finances could get another look when lawmakers come back for their fall session.
"We will then have an ability," says Cullerton, "to take up this revenue issue as well."
Lawmakers could soon vote on the budget proposal. The move could stave off a potential government shutdown.
It will be an inconvenience, though, to about 5,000 state workers scheduled to be paid today. Their checks will be delayed at least a day or more.
Republican Senate leader Christine Radogno admits it's not a perfect solution. "We are at a drop dead date where we have to adopt a budget," Radogno says, adding that "there are no good alternatives so I think this is the best of a number of bad alternatives that have been presented and it will result in at least stability in state government."
Not everyone is pleased the state could be borrowing its way out of a budget dilemma. Marengo House Democrat Jack Franks says a closed door caucus meeting Tuesday showed lawmakers don't want to make the necessary cuts to balance the budget.
"Everyone is so worried about who they might offend and what interest group that might get offended," says Franks, adding that "you wouldn't believe some of the things I was hearing in that caucus." Franks went on to say, "People were worried about their furlough days and how its going to affect their pensions. And I was like, 'come on. Don't you guys get it? We are in an absolute crisis here and we need to start cutting.'"
Franks, who is mulling a bid for Governor, says borrowing money only digs the state's fiscal hole deeper.