By Greg Halbleib

BLOOMINGTON – State Senator Jason Barickman says congratulations are not yet in order for state lawmakers just because they passed a budget.

Barickman (R-Bloomington) said the long-standing financial troubles in Illinois did not develop quickly and they will not go away quickly.

“The fiscal problems of our state certainly been aggravated by the last two or three years,” Barickman told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin. “But when we talk about our hundreds of billions of dollars in unfunded pension liabilities, heathcare costs, the backlog of bills, these are problems that have amassed over a decade or more.”

Barickman said passing a budget is just the first step toward improving the state’s financial condition.

“We’ve got to come together in a way that passes constitutional pension reform,” Barickman added. “We’ve got to address the backlog of bills that is billions of dollars. A balanced budget does not solve all the ills of our state. It’s just one piece.”

Barickman said financial ratings company Standard and Poor’s has not improved Illinois’ bond rating because of all the work that remains.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].