Illinois Senate passes compromise plan to fix budget hole

In an early major test of Illinois’ newly divided government, the Senate passed a compromise plan Thursday to plug a $1.6 billion hole in this year’s budget and avert shutdowns of state programs and services.

The legislation passed the Democratic-led Senate by a 32-26 vote with all 20 Republicans voting for it, two days after the House also approved the measure with full Republican support. Following weeks of negotiation, new Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner reached a deal with Democratic legislative leaders, even though the majority of Democrats in both chambers voted against the compromise.

The plan, which Rauner says he plans to sign soon, authorizes him to transfer $1.3 billion from other purposes, including parks and conservation. The rest comes from a 2.25 percent across-the-board budget cut. It also gives Rauner authority over $97 million to distribute to needy schools and discretion over an additional $90 million in case of unanticipated budget problems.

The $35.7 billion budget lawmakers passed last spring that didn’t allocate enough money for expenses, creating the $1.6 billion gap. Democrats passed the budget last spring hoping that after the November election they would make permanent a temporary income tax increase passed in 2011. But Rauner’s gubernatorial victory scuttled that hope, and the tax increase rolled back on Jan. 1

A state subsidized child care program needed another $300 million to operate through June. And funds were expected to run out for after-care programs at the Department of Juvenile Justice developmental centers and mental health facilities, among others.

“This is a first step, but by no means a final step,” House Speaker Michael Madigan said in a statement. “There will be much more work and much more decisions in the months ahead as legislators and the governor work to craft a responsible budget for the coming fiscal year.

A number of Senate Democrats, who offered some of the most vocal resistance to Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s request for authority to move money around in the state budget, said they couldn’t vote for the bill in good conscience.

“This isn’t an easy bill for anyone, but this compromise is a significant step forward as we look to build the 2016 budget,” Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno said. She said there was “a lot of credit to go around.”

Rauner appeared on the chamber floor to shake the hands of senators after the legislation passed.

“By choosing to make difficult decisions on a bipartisan basis, the General Assembly is helping set a new tone for what can be achieved in Springfield,” Rauner said in a statement.

KERRY LESTER, Associated Press

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The bills are HB317 and 318.