SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Now the ball is in the state House’s court.
Members of the Illinois General Assembly’s lower chamber returned to Springfield Tuesday to begin passage of a budget sent to them late Sunday after senators signed off 38-21 on a $53.1 billion budget that was similar to what Gov. JB Pritzker proposed in February.
But for the Democratic majority, the road to agreement was bumpy; they blew past their self-imposed deadline last Friday due to a private fight over revenue.
"It’s a known fact that Illinois like most states received lots of federal money because of COVID …that money is expired," said State Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago).
The bill includes $750 million in tax hikes, from changing the cap on losses large corporations can write off to moving the tax on sports betting to a tiered structure with the highest rate soaring to 40 percent. Online betting companies including BetMGM, DraftKings and FanDuel slammed the change. Republicans also spoke out.
"Unfortunately, Gov. Pritzker’s political ambitions to position himself on the national stage as the country’s most progressive governor has far out ceded state tax revenues," said State Minority Leader Sen. John Curran (R-Lemont).
On the spending side, the budget includes the $350 million annual increase in funding for K-12 education, $14 million for a new Department of Early Childhood and $182 million toward migrant services.
Before the Senate adjourned, President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) acknowledged Democrats’ private strife.
"Every session, I’ve found, has its own rhythm, and each budget its own beast, and this one was a doozy, there is no doubt about that," said Harmon.
The House will finish work without addressing the Chicago Bears’ request for more than $2 billion in public assistance for a new lakefront stadium. Springfield leaders says that’s on hold until at least the fall. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who is all in on the plan, would only say team leadership will continue to engage lawmakers.
"Right now, we have a 100-year-old building that is owed hundreds of millions of dollars in debt, and there’s no benefit for the people of Chicago and the region," he said.
Also in the budget: lawmakers are set to raise their annual base pay to $93,712 — a 5 percent raise. That’s on top of stipends for committee chairs and leaders.
Region: Chicago,Politics,City: Chicago
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May 28, 2024 at 04:14PM
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