Illinois Senate overrides Rauner’s income tax hike veto

Posted on July 4, 2017
Illinois Capitol
The Illinois House is expected to vote this week on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of an income tax hike which would support a $36 billion budget. (WJBC file photo)

By Eric Stock

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate has voted to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of a $36 billion budget that includes $5 billion in increases to the income tax.

The 36-19 override vote Tuesday sends the measure back to the Illinois House which adjourned without taking any action.

Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady of Bloomington said the budget was incomplete.

“We need a comprehensive solution for this state,” Brady said in a news release. “We’ve negotiated in good faith, but I regret to say, that we have not come to a conclusion on that solution.”

Brady reiterated his call for a property tax freeze, one of the major reforms Rauner is seeking, along with workers compensation reform, government consolidation and education funding reform.

“I regret that I cannot support a comprehensive package today, but I hope, and trust, that we will be able to come together and complete our work soon,” Brady said.

Illinois has entered a third consecutive budget year without a spending plan.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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