McLean County Times

The first day of the special legislative session ended on Wednesday with little to no progress on a budget or reforms despite Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) and several of his Republican colleagues urging lawmakers to use the time effectively. 

“These next 10 days are critically important,” Brady said. “Three caucuses have put together a plan, and the governor has put together a plan. There is one caucus that has not. It is important that House Democrats come to the table to meet at a compromise that moves forward for the people of Illinois.”

Brady and his colleagues convened early in the day to expound on their commitment to finding a solution to Illinois’ budget crisis. 

Bill Brady

As the state is facing a potential third straight year without a budget, Gov. Bruce Rauner has called for lawmakers to work together before fiscal year 2018 begins on July 1. 

In their efforts to figure out a solution, Republican lawmakers introduced a series of proposals recently that would provide some funding to the state, impose a $36 billion hard spending cap and reduce spending.

“We are here to re-emphasize the fact that today, by and large, three caucuses in the governor’s office stand committed to a plan that will move Illinois forward -- a plan that provides for a balanced budget, spending caps, term limits, spending reductions and resources to pay down the backlog of unpaid bills,” Brady said. “This plan agreed to by the governor’s office [as well as] the governor and House Republicans. This is a plan that we believe meets in the middle and compromises in the negotiations we’ve had over the last several months … to bring the state together and move our state forward. It’s a plan that works for the people of Illinois.”

The plan also provides for a property tax freeze, a new education funding formula, workers’ compensation reform and a government consolidation provision to reduce units of local government.  

“We are here united to make sure that we make the most out of these next 10 days,” Brady said. “The people of Illinois deserve a comprehensive blueprint for its future. This plan does that.”

The House and Senate ended the session on Wednesday after less than 30 minutes of debate.