By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – State Sen. Jason Barickman said the budget deadlock will likely get worse before it gets better.
“This summer may be a dark summer in Illinois’ history,” Barickman said. “The question is how to we come out of it?”
But Barickman told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin his glass is still half full.
PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Barickman on WJBC.
“This is as optimistic as I’ve been in the long term,” Barickman said. “At every juncture, it seemed like we were making a bad decision and we couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. I see the light, but it’s way down the road.”
Barickman said he expects a budget deal later this summer that won’t solve all of Illinois’ problems, but would be a major step forward. He added Republicans shouldn’t tie their hands by taking any tax increase off the table, but he says there will have to be spending reforms.
He added if Democrats hear from their constituents this summer and aren’t willing to make cuts, they’ll likely face the consequences in the 2016 and 2018 elections.
Casino
Barickman said talk of a new casino for Central Illinois to help solve Illinois’ budget crisis seems like a long shot.
“If all the stars aligned, which would be the legislature, (Chicago mayor) Rahm Emanuel and Bruce Rauner all said ‘here’s the plan we all agree on,’ then sure it’s done at that point,” Barickman said. “We’ve never had that.”
Decatur has been mentioned as a possible site for a casino along with a Southern Illinois winery. Barickman suggested Rauner would be more open to a Chicago-based casino, but said Chicago has been unwilling to work with Republicans on issues like workers compensation reform.
“Governor Rauner to his credit has said ‘I’ll help you if you help me.’ This is Politics 101,” Barickman said.
The Illinois House reconvenes on Thursday. The Senate will return on Tuesday.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
