Barickman: ‘Shameful’ budget hopefully a starting point

Posted on May 27, 2016

State Sen. Jason Barickman says he hopes what he calls a shameful budget that House Speaker Mike Madigan rushed through this week will help trigger real negotiations on a budget solution. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Jason Barickman)

By Eric Stock

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois budget plan that passed the House this week – and that Republicans say is historically out of balance – got a re-vote on Wednesday after House Speaker Mike Madigan acknowledged a procedural error in Wednesday’s vote that was rushed through in less than two hours.

State Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, called Wednesday’s vote ‘shameful’ and said the circus that Madigan created might actually be beneficial.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Barickman on WJBC.

“Because [people realize we need to come together on a real budget and a real plan together,” Barickman said. “I’m more hopeful today that I was two days ago that it could happen.”

Barickman said the 500-page bill Madigan rushed through the House hasn’t even been sent to the Senate and he hasn’t heard a word from Senate President John Cullerton about it.

“(He’s) the one guy who everyone thinks is the guy that can help pull a deal together between (Gov. Bruce) Rauner and Madigan,” Barickman said.

Barickman said a group of lawmakers continues to work behind the scenes on real solutions to the budget stalemate as Tuesday’s deadline approaches.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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