SPRINGFIELD – The budget that passed House Speaker Mike Madigan's Illinois House will be considered Tuesday in the Illinois Senate, says Senate President John Cullerton. The Democrat-controlled chamber is looking for Republican votes to share the blame for passing a budget with no reforms to correct its failed financial situation.
The budget vote will be new Republican Leader Bill Brady's first test in how he will lead the GOP caucus. Will he "protect taxpayers" as he promised to do when running for governor three times, or will he allow his caucus to abandon the GOP platform and raise taxes?
Fifteen House Republicans stepped up to help out Speaker Madigan by voting "yes" and allow enough cover so that ten of the Speaker's most endangered members from swing districts could vote "no" Sunday.
The budget has no property tax freezes (temporary or permanent), no workers comp reform, no pension adjustments – only a state income tax hike for businesses and individuals. Supposedly a "compromise," those who've reviewed the last hour budget that appears to be on its way to the governor after it passes the Senate is notably missing reforms in exchange for the tax hike.
Governor Rauner has promised to veto the measure, but it could be overridden with the help of Republicans that support raising taxes on businesses and individuals.
