Governor announces budget deal which will face a vote Friday

Posted on April 8, 2022
Joining Pritzker at the news conference – called with fifteen minutes’ notice – were Senate President Don Harmon (pictured, left) (D-Oak Park) and House Speaker Chris Welch (pictured, right) (D-Hillside). (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – A half hour after informing Republicans of their plans, Gov. JB Pritzker and top Democrats in the General Assembly announced an agreement on a budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

“Because of our focus on fiscal balance, this budget will provide over $1.8 billion – $1,8 billion! – in tax relief to Illinois residents, while at the same time restoring $1 billion to the long-depleted rainy day fund,” said Pritzker.

Joining Pritzker at the news conference – called with fifteen minutes’ notice – were Senate President Don Harmon (pictured, left) (D-Oak Park) and House Speaker Chris Welch (pictured, right) (D-Hillside).

Friday is the last day of session, and that’s when Pritzker and the legislative leaders expect a vote on the budget, which is expected to settle north of $45 billion.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…