June 1, 2008

Democrats pass "unbalanced" budget

chicagotribune.com

Lawmakers OK $60 billion state budget; capital bill stalls

Plan sent to Gov. Rod Blagojevich just before deadline

By Jeffrey Meitrodt and Ray Long

Tribune reporters

8:59 PM CDT, May 31, 2008

Illinois lawmakers passed a nearly $60 billion state budget Saturday but couldn't agree on a separate, statewide construction bill to pay for new schools, roads and bridges.

The Democrats who control the General Assembly dodged the potential election-year embarrassment of a second straight overtime session by sending the budget to Gov. Rod Blagojevich on the deadline day for their adjournment. Overtime would have offered some leverage for Republicans, who are in the minority in both the House and Senate and were largely excluded from the budget process.

The new budget would increase spending by about $2 billion over the current year, with much of the money going to education and some health care and social service programs. But the plan is largely based on optimistic forecasts of how much revenue the state will take in, and lawmakers acknowledged there may not be enough money to pay the bills for the budget year that begins July 1.

Blagojevich's spending priorities were mostly ignored by his fellow Democrats but he said he would keep an "open mind" about signing the budget.

Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) defended the fiscal plans he helped craft as "responsible." But Democrats broadly conceded Blagojevich may need to use his veto pen to reduce the spending.

Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) called the budget out of whack, potentially by billions of dollars. House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) called the budget a reckless and "totally irresponsible approach to governing."

The spending plan would boost Illinois school funding by $515 million, including $148.5 million for Chicago, Joliet, Winfield and 23 other school districts waiting for construction funds promised by the state six years ago.

The budget includes money to give lawmakers, judges and statewide officials a 3.8 percent cost-of-living pay raise. But it does not include the money for a much larger increase that could be approved this year.

Lawmakers also debated until the final hours of their session on a broad, $33 billion capital spending plan to pay for construction projects statewide.

Before adjourning, the Senate sent the House a plan that would be supported largely by a major expansion of gambling—including opening a land-based Chicago casino, installing slot machines at racetracks and leasing most of the Illinois Lottery.

In a rare move, Blagojevich lobbied lawmakers on the floor of the House late Saturday in an attempt to win support for the capital plan. But the plan foundered in the House and supporters predicted it would fail.

jmeitrodt@tribune.com

rlong@tribune.com