By Sam Wood

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois State Representative Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) is “cautiously optimistic” that a spending plan could pass through the Illinois General Assembly before the spring session ends on May 31.

“Of course, I’ve been optimistic all the way through this,” Brady told WJBC’s Sam Wood. “I think that you need to be. Throwing in the towel and failure is not an option here.”

Brady was a “No” vote on the $817 million stopgap measure that was approved by the House last week along party lines.

He said the short-term spending plan distracts legislators from making a broader budget deal.

“This takes the focus off of trying to get something more substantively done,” he said.

Brady added that Governor Bruce Rauner has already stated he will veto the plan should it make it to his desk.

Brady said whatever budget deal is ultimately made must bring stability to Illinois.

“Whether it’s a full-year, whether it’s a stopgap again, whether it’s some type of other funding plan, it has to be something that can bring as much stability to the Illinois budget process as possible,” he said.

Sam Wood can be reached at [email protected]