"Tight" is the term Gov. JB Pritzker and those within his office have used most frequently to describe the state’s budget in the upcoming fiscal year. Still, dozens of groups have barnstormed the Capitol in recent weeks with hopes to get a larger slice of a $52.7 billion pie.
In addition to addressing legislative priorities, lawmakers’ last week in Springfield before scheduled adjournment will key-in on budget negotiations. There, they’ll hold the precarious task of meeting demands of major players like the Chicago Bears with their new stadium and a $1 billion ask from the Chicago Teachers Union while trying to avoid a state deficit.
The budget priorities for the Democratic governor are building off the fiscal progress made during his administration now entering the sixth year in office. Primarily, he said it needs to reflect an economy that is slowing in growth nationwide and statewide.
"That affects our budget," Pritzker said during a Citizens Club of Springfield forum earlier this month. "But we are balancing our budget. We will not finish this month without having a balanced budget for the state of Illinois."
The General Assembly is often friendly territory for Pritzker, Democrats holding super-majorities in both the House and Senate, but there’s some sense of lurking opposition within the party. The governor’s request to increase taxes, adding more than $1 billion to the state’s coffers, has been met with "significant enough" resistance from lawmakers. His administration has signaled to department heads to prepare for $800 million in spending cuts.
Republicans for their part have expressed continued concern of the growing expenses in recent budgets, growing from $40 billion in the governor’s first budget in 2019. None voted in favor of last year’s budget.
Here’s a look at a few spending wishes heading into the final scheduled week of the spring session.
Pritzker’s budget proposal introduced in February calls for $350 million towards the evidence-based funding formula, which funds public schools throughout Illinois. While this is $50 million above the minimum allowed by state law, groups like the Chicago Teachers Union say the investment is inadequate.
A recently released study from the non-partisan think tank, Center for Budget and Tax Accountability, indicated paying the minimum $300 million would take the state until fiscal year 2034 to fully fund public schools in the state. Instead, it recommends upping that investment to $500 million per fiscal year which would move that timeline up to FY 2030.
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The impact is felt especially on Tier Two schools like Chicago Public Schools and Springfield School District 186 that share approximately 49% of the annual evidence-based funding allocation with Tier One schools. Local Superintendent Jennifer Gill said that increased investment would be "put to good use," the district in the midst of a $123 million reconstruction of Springfield High School and $93 million reconstruction of Lanphier High School.
Pritzker said on Thursday that he would welcome increased evidence-based funding but noted "only so much (funding) to go around" while other budgetary pressures such as health care expenses that need to be addressed first. He also stressed that funding for public schools does not solely come through the program.
While California increased its minimum wage for food service workers up-to $20 an hour, home care workers in Illinois are at the bargaining table looking for the same pay.
Through the Illinois Community Care Program, eligible residents over the age of 60 can receive in-home care and community-based services. And with an aging population, the program already estimated to serve more than 69,000 in the ahead fiscal year is expected to be in increased demand.
Sen. Omar Aquino, D-Chicago, is leading legislation that would increase their pay from $17 to $20 but is hoping to have the funding included in the budget. The Service Employees International Union Healthcare Illinois, backing the bill, estimates the increased pay would cost $167 million with $101 million funded by Illinois and the rest funded by federal match dollars.
Last May, a dust storm led to a major pileup on Interstate 55 resulting in eight deaths and dozens of injuries. One-way advocates say impact of these storms could be mitigated is through planting of more cover crops.
Funding for the Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program is a relative crumble in the budget, Pritzker calling for $660,000, but two Democratic lawmakers are supporting legislation that would up that investment to $3.1 million in FY 2025.
Eliot Clay, state programs director of the Illinois Environmental Council, said in an interview that the program is increasing in popularity among farmers. Farmers receive a $5 per acre subsidy in their crop insurance for every acre of cover crops they plant. Expanded funding would make the program eligible for 500,000 acres of farmland, instead of the current 100,000 acres, estimates show.
The minimal wiggle room for new or increased expenditures in this budget doesn’t deter Clay.
"Protecting this natural resource is paramount to us actually having a vibrant agricultural community," he said. "I would very much hope they don’t lose sight of that when they’re (lawmakers) drawing up the numbers."
Contact Patrick M. Keck: 312-549-9340, pkeck@gannett.com, twitter.com/@pkeckreporter.
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