By Eric Stock
SPRINGFIELD – The so-called Grand Bargain in Springfield has been retooled and now Illinois Republicans are rolling out what they are calling the Capitol Compromise to try to end the state’s nearly three-year budget stalemate.
The GOP is willing to concede a four-year income tax hike in exchange for a four-year property tax freeze, pension and workers compensation reform and local government consolidation.
The proposal’s sponsor, State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin and Patti Penn the plan will only work if state agencies cut spending.
PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Patti’s interview with Brady on WJBC.
“We’ve met with agency directors and for the most part, they have agreed that they can manage their resources within those cuts and make this work,” Brady said. “It’s not easy. No one like to do it but it can be done and it needs to be done.”
Brady said he believes any job cuts could be managed through attrition, rather than handing out pink slips.
The Republican plan also calls for a Constitutional amendment to allow voters to decide on term limits for legislative leaders and statewide officeholders.
The Illinois Senate passed a $37 billion budget that includes a tax increase, but the House adjourned last month without considering it.
State Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, told Illinois Radio Network the House needs to act on something and stop ignoring the bills the Senate sent over last month.
“They should use that as a starting point for how we finish this and fix the problems of the state,” Manar said. “And that means both sides of the aisle… ought to have a healthy debate on those bills. If they don’t like them then they should call them for a vote and vote no. If they like them and want to change them to gain a majority then that’s okay too, but they shouldn’t ignore what the Senate did.”
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
