Illinois Lawmakers Delay Budget

Chicago - The notion that we're a national embarrassment -- comes from local critics and even state lawmakers.

Every day that Illinois lawmakers delay the $13-billion hole gets bigger, and unpaid bills stack up. But members of the Illinois General Assembly say they are waiting for two things, guidance from constituents on what really matters to them, and a phone call from House Speaker Mike Madigan telling them to come back to Springfield and finish the job.

"This is an embarrassment," said Civic Federation Pres. Laurence Msall, "and an affront to anyone who cares about the state of Illinois."

Msall said state lawmakers sent a message to taxpayers when they went home Friday without balancing the budget.

"They should go back immediateley and begin opening up the process," insisted Msall,"all the cards need to be on the table."

Those cards include a combination of deep cuts, more borrowing, and an income tax hike, which lawmakers insist on calling revenue enhancements.

"We are not gonna tax our way out of this problem," said State Rep. David Miller (D) Lynwood, "nor are we gonna cut our way out of a $13 billion problem."

Msall says the Civic Federation wants education and Medicaid to remain a budget priority, everything else should be negotiable. He's convinced these decisions are tough for lawmakers because they're afraid they won't get re-elected, decisions like a one per cent state income tax hike, which is looking increasingly likely.

They are trying to reach a balanced budget by May 31 because after that it becomes even more difficult. They would need a super-majority, a 3-5ths vote, to pass a budget, and that would require Republicans on board as well as Democrats.