SPRINGFIELD, IL – A “de-coupled Grand Bargain” was the focus of attention at the State Capitol this week, according to State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg).

Despite the opposition of Fowler and his Senate Republican colleagues, the legislative majority shoved through their 15th consecutive unbalanced budget. The budget was predicated on $1.2 billion in savings through a potentially unconstitutional “pension reform” plan, which would likely diminish benefits guaranteed under the Illinois Constitution.

The Illinois Senate acted on eight pieces of the original legislative package intended to bring an end to the two-year budgetary impasse. Other components of the package included an expansion of gaming, a short-term property tax freeze, short-term borrowing without a guarantee of paying down the backlog of bills.

Senator Fowler was pleased by the gaming expansion which would call for a gaming license to be issued in unincorporated Williamson County. The gaming license would add economic opportunities in the 59th District, along with the expansion of positions at other already establish casinos and horseracing facilities.

A smaller component of the “Grand Bargain” focusing on procurement reforms passed the Senate will nearly unanimous approval. The revision of the government contracting process will be streamlined and enable universities and agencies to get “more bang for the buck,” enabling the cost of government to be slightly less.

The Senate Republicans were displeased by a bailout for the grossly mismanaged, fiscally strapped Chicago Public School (CPS) system. After many weeks of meaningful negotiations on a school funding reform package, the Senate sponsor of the legislation insisted that a $250 million in special deals be left in for the CPS. Additionally, Southern Illinois taxpayers would be left holding the bill for Chicago’s school pension system.

Senator Fowler hopes that both sides of the negotiating table will continue to work on talks that will settle the budget impasse. It is imperative that a balanced budget with significant reforms is passed by the scheduled adjournment on May 31 or the results could be catastrophic.

Press Release From State Representative Dave Severin’s office 

SPRINGFIELD, IL Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) signed a letter with 39 of his Republican colleagues requesting that the Attorney General use her power to force the General Assembly to pass a revenue estimate. A revenue estimate establishes how much the government expects to bring in over the next fiscal year. Using this estimate the General Assembly plans how much it can expect to spend for the next fiscal year. The Illinois Constitution requires the General Assembly to agree on an estimate as the basis for determining a budget.

Representative Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) penned the letter, calling for the Attorney General to step in. Rep. Severin says it is about time the AG forced the General Assembly to comply with the Constitution.

“It’s common sense that the state shouldn’t spend what we don’t have,” said Severin. “Yet without a revenue estimate, we do not even know how we can expect to be able to spend for the coming year. The majority party has failed in taking the first step toward achieving a balanced budget, and as a result we would like the Attorney General to step in and force their hand.”

As of Friday, only 12 days remain until the May 31 deadline to pass a budget for Fiscal Year 2018. The past two weeks the House of Representatives have spent less than 6 hours in session