On Jan. 27, Gov. Rauner will deliver his second State of the State address. Like 2015, the Governor’s address is expected to focus on job creation, making Illinois more competitive, boosting the state’s economy, and stressing the need for a balanced budget and structural reforms to state government.
Rauner’s speech comes as the state is operating without a fiscal year budget and is on pace to spend $4.6 billion more than it’s expected to take in for the fiscal year, which began July 1, 2015. Much of Illinois government has remained operational due to spending authorized by court orders and consent decrees.
Republicans have joined the Governor in calling for structural reforms to state government and passing a balanced budget as soon as possible. Democrats, however, have refused to compromise on reforms, instead focusing on another tax increase as a way to fill the budget hole.
During the State of the State address, the Governor generally reports on the condition of the state and outlines his top priorities. It differs from the budget address, which is scheduled for Feb. 17.