Here’s what Republican, Democratic lawmakers in southwest Illinois think of the budget
Illinois lawmakers passed a $42.8 billion budget early Sunday morning for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
The plan relies on borrowing from the federal government to make up for lost revenue because of the coronavirus pandemic, but Democrats say that will allow spending to remain largely the same.
One Republican, state Rep. Tom Demmer of Dixon, said the budget was “balanced only on a wing and a prayer,” Capitol News Illinois reported.
Lawmakers gave themselves an $1,800 pay raise, bringing their annual salary to roughly $71,000. They received a $1,600 pay raise last year, the first in five years. The legislature also approved a nearly $1 billion spending increase on coronavirus relief efforts.
Republicans opposed the pay raise, and state Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville, introduced a bill that would have canceled it.
“With less revenue for state government and record unemployment, it makes zero sense for the legislature to give themselves a pay raise and spend money the state doesn’t have,” Meier said.
Last year’s fiscal year budget approved $40.6 billion in spending.
Here’s how southwestern Illinois lawmakers reacted.
State Sen. Rachelle Crowe, D-Glen Carbon
“While I have faith in teachers and students adjusting to e-learning, investing $12.6 billion in public education is fundamental to our students’ success and access for future opportunities. To ensure students are not falling behind, we must establish economic relief for our school districts.”
State Rep. LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis
“Above all else, I think we all share a newfound respect and appreciation for our frontline workers who have consistently risen to the occasion since this pandemic began. I am thankful for the selfless contributions by our nurses, doctors, first responders, public health professionals and other essential workers who have taken on great risks and responsibilities to ensure we can carry on during this unprecedented time.
“With that in mind, it was critical that we pass a responsible budget that invests in critical services and resources needed by our first responders, while also increasing funding for Medicaid, unemployment, public health care and other areas that have been impacted by COVID-19.”
State Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville
“I voted against the state budget because it makes promises the state can’t afford to keep. With billions in debt and less revenue for the state, now more than ever must our state government tighten its belt and stop digging ourselves deeper into debt.
“For over two months thousands have been unemployed, restaurants and bars have been closed to in-person dining, many small retail stores have been closed, including barbers, salons, and many more small businesses. When people return to work and small businesses reopen they will need all the cash possible to pay their bills open which is why I support delaying their income tax payment for 90 days after reopening. I don’t want employees returning to work and small businesses to worry about paying their taxes until they are back on their feet.”
State Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville
”The majority party in the Illinois legislature demonstrated a shocking display of callousness at a time when thousands of Illinoisans are out of work and suffering by passing an out-of-balanced budget and creating a $1 billion in new spending. In addition to the increase in spending, Democrat legislators, who refused for weeks to return to the Capitol, elected to pass a budget that contains a pay increase for themselves.
“It’s inconceivable for legislators to standby and accept a pay raise while the people of this state are struggling just to survive. It’s things like this that has led Illinoisans to hold their state government in low regard.”
State Sen. Paul Schimpf, R-Waterloo
”Responding to a more than $6B budget shortfall by increasing discretionary spending and borrowing billions of dollars is not responsible government. Instead, it is proof that Governor Pritzker and his enablers in the Illinois General Assembly are either unable or unwilling to make the difficult choices commensurate with true leadership. Not only does this disastrous budget not address any of Illinois’ long-term problems, it will make them far worse.”
