By Adam Studzinski
BLOOMINGTON – State lawmakers continue to work on a budget for Illinois and State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) doesn’t believe there will be a quick solution.
Barickman told WJBC’s Dan Swaney there’s a “fundamental dispute” in Springfield between Democrats and Republicans.
“On the one hand you’ve got Speaker (Mike) Madigan, who’s saying that we’ve got to have a tax increase to plug the budget hole,” said Barickman. “On the other hand, you’ve got Gov. (Bruce) Rauner and Republicans who’ve said, ‘Look, we’re willing to work with you on some revenues, but we want to see some reforms on the way our state does business first.'”
Podcast: Listen to Barickman’s conversation on WJBC.
Barickman added it’s not clear what all the effects will be if the state does not have a budget by the July 1 deadline.
“We’re working with the governor’s office, with the comptroller,” said Barickman. “We’re told that the governor and others have contingency plans for the state not having a budget, but I think some of those details will come out in due time.
“What needs to occur is these two gentlemen, the speaker and the governor, have to find a way to, on the policy of it, find some common ground,” said Barickman. “And I do think there’s some there.”
Either way, Barickman said it’s going to be a long summer for lawmakers.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].
