The Illinois House overwhelmingly rejected a so-called "doomsday budget" Friday — one that does not rely on extending 2011's income tax hike. It would have imposed deep cuts across Illinois government.
It was the budget that few legislators — Democrat or Republican — actually wanted to pass. It would have slashed education and other government services.
But the budget did not pass. In fact, only five lawmakers voted for the stripped-down budget, including Rep. Fred Crespo, from Hoffman Estates.
"I thought for sure that folks who were against extending the tax hike were going to support this bill," he said.
Republicans uniformly voted against it. House Speaker Michael Madigan, also one of the handful of "yes" votes, says Democrats will keep working to craft a budget "which will continue to provide a good level of state service to the people of the state of Illinois, without the extension of the income tax increase," he said.
But time is running out. Lawmakers are scheduled to adjourn for the summer on May 31.
