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Illinois Might Finally See A Budget Wednesday


Illinois budget impasse, theounce.org, budget Wednesday
What has Illinois already lost in this budget impasse? (theounce.org)

Springfield, IL-(ENEWSPF)- For the first time since July 1, 2015, a budget for the state of Illinois is finally within reach. There is a chance the state will see a budget Wednesday.

“Illinois budget impasse” has its own Wikipedia page.

The Illinois Senate approved spending and revenue bills, then immediately overriding Governor Bruce Rauner’s vetoes of the budget measures.

From the Sun-Times:

Lawmakers inched closer to enacting a budget on a dizzying Fourth of July — with the Illinois Senate in rapid succession approving spending and revenue bills and then overriding Gov. Bruce Rauner’s immediate vetoes of the budget package.

But it remained unclear when the state will finalize a budget to begin to unwind a fiscal mess that has left a $14.7 billion backlog of unpaid bills, with social service agencies and public universities left high and dry. The Illinois House didn’t have enough members in town to vote to override, with attendance issues also likely on Wednesday.

Speaker Michael J. Madigan issued the following statement Tuesday:

“I’m disappointed that Leader Durkin has chosen not to attend our leaders meeting for the second day in a row. Democrats are committed to working with Republicans to find common ground on the remaining non-budget issues that have long been prioritized by the other side of the aisle, but we can only do so if Republicans are willing to negotiate with us. It is my hope that Leader Durkin will return to the table to discuss the issues that he and Governor Rauner have insisted by considered alongside the state budget.”

The plan is for the Illinois House to vote to override the Governor’s vetoes Wednesday.

For his part, Rauner has been personally “out of the public eye,” but, like President Trump, has taken to social media to express his views.

If that doesn’t give you pause as to how warped this crisis has become, just let that sink in a while longer.

Rauner, like President Trump, is trying to do policy on social media.

Related: Madigan Schedules Thursday Vote to Override Rauner Budget Veto


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