By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Working into the early hours of Sunday, Illinois lawmakers put together a budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

Republicans criticized supermajority Democrats for failing to address ethics during the four-day special session this week, as well as for not making budget cuts. The budget also relies on an assumed $5 billion borrowed from the federal government to fill the gap in what is described as a flat $42 billion budget.

“Your refusal to give this governor real oversight,” railed State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst), “is what has now created a state budget that is billions in the hole, because the private sector is not working on his order.”

House Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago), that chamber’s chief “budgeteer,” responded, “This may not be the world’s best budget, but at least we have a budget. And to be lectured by some people who for two years let another governor run this state with zero budget and running up a $17 billion backlog of bills is an interesting experience.”

The House and Senate are adjourned until the fall veto session, which begins in mid-November.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]