By Greg Bishop/Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – There’s a difference of opinion in what needs to happen to grow the state’s economy, as nearly two years of talks on reforms and a balanced budget seem to be going nowhere to end the state’s nearly 18-month-long budget impasse.
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office canceled Thursday’s leaders meeting, saying Democrats don’t have a budget framework.
State Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-Northbrook, said House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, is right in calling for more working groups to discuss various proposed reforms.
“Everybody is going to have to be flexible in their demands and recognize where the votes of support can be achieved,” she said.
State Rep. Sara Jimenez, R-Leland Grove, said working groups already have met, and it’s time for leaders to act.
“Determining what different policies can be put forward, drafted and can get an appropriate amount of votes — those are perspectives that the leaders have,” she said.
Republicans haven’t had much luck in the past two years to get votes on reforms they say will grow the economy.
Nekritz said she doesn’t speak for the entire Democratic caucus, but has an idea of what will help the economy.
“A stable and predictable state government is the most important thing that we can do to grow our economy, and we have clearly become more unstable and more predictable in the last two years.”
Jimenez said that’s a no-brainer, but there are other things needed to grow t the economy, such as workers’ comp and regulatory reform, just to name a few.
“I think that they can pass; it’s just going to be a matter of Democratic leadership allowing votes and discussions to go forward on these things.”
Outgoing state Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, said legislators are not working together anymore, they’re talking past each other. “And it’s perpetual campaign mode. I have never seen such polarization and partisanship in my entire time in the General Assembly. And I’m not optimistic that is going to change anytime soon.”
A stopgap spending bill expires Dec 31. Lawmakers aren’t scheduled back in Springfield until Jan. 9.
Illinois has not had a balanced budget since 2001.
