The Illinois Legislature is moving forward with a scaled-back budget lawmakers say will lead to layoffs and further delays in paying the state's bills.
The House is expected to vote Tuesday on the approximately $35 billion spending
plan.
Lawmakers drafted the plan after House Speaker Michael Madigan announced his
chamber had given up on extending a temporary income tax increase. That will
result in a roughly $1.8 billion revenue drop next year.
Democratic Sen. Dan Kotowski says the new budget plan ensures education
spending will remain flat.
Democratic Sen. Heather Steans says the proposed budget is ``kicking the can
down the road'' because lawmakers are banking on addition revenue midway through
the year.
That's fueling speculation that lawmakers could return after the November
election and make the tax hike permanent.
Illinois General Assembly Moving Forward With New Budget
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