Sen. Nybo: Democrats pass completely unbalanced budget; refuse to work with Rauner to reform Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – After months of negotiation to pass fundamental changes needed to turn around Illinois, Republican lawmakers are working to expand job opportunities, fix a corrupt political system and mend a failing state economy, while Democrat lawmakers are working to pass a budget that is $4 billion out of balance, according to State Sen. Chris Nybo (R-Elmhurst).

“Gov. Bruce Rauner and Republican lawmakers are offering a new approach to state government. We have been working long hours to come to a compromise – beginning with much-needed structural reforms to state government, but it now appears that Democrat leaders are moving forward with an unconstitutionally unbalanced spending plan,” Nybo said. “The Democrats’ budget proposes more than $36 billion in spending, which falls $4 billion short of estimated revenues of $32 billion.”

Nybo said the majority party wants to continue the fiscal policies of the 12 years that have led to the state’s current fiscal crisis.

“We need a budget that matches our revenues with our expenditures, which will likely require some severe cuts and painful choices. Such a process requires shared input and shared responsibility and accountability,” Nybo said. “But now it seems that Democrat leaders are striking out on their own … turning from the negotiating table and adding billions more to Illinois’ debt.”

The Democrat budget proposal comes just days after Republican lawmakers introduced a major package of legislation (SB 884, SB 994, SB 1046, SJRCA 14, and SJRCA 15) that would implement Gov. Rauner’s Turnaround Agenda. Those bills would:

• Freeze Illinois property taxes: currently the second highest of any state
o Supports local control: option to increase through local referendum

• Improve Illinois’ business climate: recently ranked third worst in the country
o Workers’ compensation reform
o Lawsuit reform

• Reform State Government: Illinois called “worst-run state in the country” last year
o Constitutional amendment establishing term limits for legislators and executive officeholders – Illinois would join 15 other states with term limits
o Redistricting reform – Constitutional amendment to create an independent commission for fair and balanced districts