Representative Sandack Responds to Passage of Bills to Balance Remaining FY15 Budget

In response to the Illinois House approval today of House Bills 317 and 318, State Representative Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) has issued the following statement:

“The Illinois House worked in a bipartisan manner today to close a $1.6 billion budget hole that Governor Rauner inherited when he took office in mid-January. The votes we took were difficult, but necessary, so that our court system can remain open, our most vulnerable citizens can continue to receive important services, the State can meet payroll obligations at our prisons and low-income working families can have uninterrupted access to the child care assistance program.”

“The budget crisis we face today is the worst the General Assembly has ever seen. There is a very real threat that critical service areas of the budget will run out of money. Through a true act of bipartisanship, and pending Senate approval of the bills, we will now be able to finish this current fiscal year whole.”

“These bills grant Governor Rauner the flexibility he needs to balance the FY15 budget, and while the 2.25% reduction in general revenue funding is unfortunate, the Governor will have discretionary funds at his disposal to backfill cuts to schools and programs.”