The Illinois House has approved a scaled-back 2015 budget that lawmakers say will lead to layoffs and further delays in paying the state's bills.
The approximately $35.7 billion spending plan passed the Democrat-controlled chamber Tuesday afternoon. It now moves to the Senate. The plan is not a "doomsday budget" nor does it extend the state's temporary income tax. The plan basically holds spending flat across state government by further delaying payments to vendor such as nursing homes.
Lawmakers drafted the plan after House Speaker Michael Madigan announced his chamber had given up on extending a temporary income tax increase. That will result in a roughly $1.8 billion revenue drop next year. Democratic Sen. Heather Steans says the proposed budget is ``kicking the can down the road'' because lawmakers are banking on additional revenue midway through the year.
Democratic State Representative Greg Harris of Chicago says the budget plan could lead to the layoff of thousands of state emplyees.
Senate President John Cullerton says lawmakers could return after the November election and make the tax hike permanent or vote to generate other revenue.
Democratic Governor Pat Quinn wants to make the income-tax increase permanent. It's scheduled to sunset in January. It's costing the typical Illinois taxpayer about $1,100 this year. Madigan says a new revenue estimate adds about $189 million to the state's expected income.
