By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Republicans aren’t backing away from the need for economic reforms as an imperative to balancing the state’s budget.
Illinois legislative leaders met with Gov. Bruce Rauner again Wednesday to discuss how to fund state government after a stopgap spending plan expires at the end of the calendar year.
Democrats have said economic reforms don’t impact the budget. Leading Republican Sen. Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, said the two are interrelated.
“That’s the problem that I don’t think the Democrats understand. It is not possible to get to a balanced budget without doing some of these reforms,” she said.
Leading Republican state Rep. Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, said tax increases alone won’t solve the state’s problems.
“It did not work the last time in which they passed that temporary tax increase, and…it’s more punting on the major issue that we have to deal with, which is growing the economy.”
Sen. President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, said the meeting included dire deficit numbers if nothing is done, and discussion about reforms like government consolidations.
“But the focus has to be on the budget so we hope we can get the budget addressed obviously in the veto session,” Cullerton said.
State Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, was included in the meeting at Speaker Michael Madigan’s request. Harris said economic reforms pushed by Republicans won’t solve the budget crisis.
“They do not directly impact the day-to-day expenses or the income of the state and that’s what we’ve got to look at,” Harris said.
Republicans have been pushing for economic reforms. Democratic leaders said Wednesday they’ll review some of the proposals.
Rauner said he pushed for five items as part of a deal: government consolidations, workers comp reform, pension reform, education funding reform and term limits.
Lawmakers canceled Thursday session and will be back in Springfield after the Thanksgiving holiday.
