A spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn says a 2015 budget approved by the Illinois House just postpones tough decisions. Brooke Anderson is a spokeswoman for Quinn. She says the budget approved Tuesday is incomplete. The approximately $35.7 billion budget keeps funding for schools and most agencies flat but doesnt account for increased costs. Lawmakers say that could mean layoffs, delays in paying bills and a postelection vote to extend Illinois temporary income tax increase. Lawmakers drafted the plan after House Speaker Michael Madigan announced his chamber had given up on extending the tax increase. That will reduce revenue by $1.8 billion. Quinn supports making the higher tax rates permanent. Senate President John Cullerton says lawmakers could return after the November election and make the tax hike permanent.
Posted on: Wed, 28 May 2014 00:26:40 +0000