Illinois Lawmakers “Close” to Agreement on State Budget
With the deadline less than a day away, Illinois lawmakers say they’re confident they’ll reach an agreement on a state budget by Thursday. We’re pretty close,” said Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), a chief negotiator. “We seem to have done a lot of work between the four caucuses and there are a couple issues remaining to be discussed by the leaders.” House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) told reporters on Tuesday “I feel we are in a place where we have a framework.” But while an agreement might be in place, it still includes less money for human services, which have seen several years’ worth of cuts. The plan makes $124 million in cuts at state agencies, including $47 million from Human Services, as well as the same for the Illinois Department of Corrections. (Chicago Tribune)