First version of a state budget

Illinois House Democrats are the first to introduce a proposed budget. (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Pretty soon, with a few days to go, it’ll be crunch time at the Capitol.

Illinois House Democrats are the first to introduce a proposed budget.

“Beyond what’s in the spending plan, we need to support families in our state by returning some money to them to deal with the cost of inflation,” House Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago) said at a news conference at the Capitol Wednesday morning. “We know inflation is a problem. We know our tax receipts have risen. And we know it’s important to return at least $1.3 billion to the people of the state of Illinois.”

And, in case anybody has forgotten the other theme of the spring 2022 session, State Police director Brendan Kelly led a police contingent at the announcement, calling crime reduction “a never-ending fight.”

The goal is to adjourn by Friday night.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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