Rauner Threatens To Keep Lawmakers In Session If No Budget Reached By Deadline

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Less than two days before the end of the 2017 fiscal year, Governor Rauner has stated that he will extend the ongoing special session if Illinois does not have a state budget by June 30. In a statement on his Facebook page, Rauner warned lawmakers, "If the legislature fails to send a balanced budget package to my desk by Friday, we will have no choice but to keep them in session until they get the job done."

On the eve of the current 10-day special session, Rauner delivered a Facebook live speech to an empty room in a plea for legislators to "put the people’s interests ahead of all else." Many Democrats derided that call for unity as an insincere publicity stunt, noting that Rauner passed up opportunities to approve a state budget for more than 700 days.

With nearly $15 million in unpaid bills, Illinois is currently at risk of becoming the first state to be given a "junk bond" status. The state is mired in financial woes that continue to endanger schools, infrastructure and even the lottery program. IDOT recently threatened to cease construction without a budget and the Illinois State Lottery just put an end to its Powerball and Mega Millions drawings.

The heightened urgency of the matter has not been lost on lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, who have crafted separate budget plans. Democrats have been working to come up with what they call the "grand compromise," which Rep. Greg Harris (D) said took into consideration recommendations from Senate Democrats and Republicans, House Republicans and Rauner himself.

Illinois is currently on track to spend $39 billion this fiscal year. Rauner's proposed plan would slice spending by $2 million. The "grand compromise" plan introduced by Harris and House Speaker Michael Madigan would cut state expenditures by $3 billion in 2018.

This plan proposes to up the state's income tax and block loopholes for corporate taxpayers, while still fully funding pension obligations and increasing funding for public education. Harris said the "grand compromise" would not include any new programs. Madigan noted that "nobody gets 100 percent" and he said he hopes to "persuade the governor to be reasonable." Meanwhile, Rauner has been touting the GOP's "Capitol Compromise" on social media. Neither the Democrat-backed plan, nor the Republican proposal included a revenue measure.

The consequences of lawmakers failing to agree on a budget by midnight Friday would likely reach much further than Rauner extending the special session. Residents will likely face much of the fallout. If no budget is reached, as Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said in a statement, "Illinoisans must brace for maximum impact."

Image via Wikimedia Commons.