After meeting last week, over the weekend and again into this week, the Governor and legislative leaders continued in vain to find common ground on a full-year budget framework with reforms. Unfortunately, the sense of urgency to find a solution to the state’s fiscal crisis was not shared by the Speaker of the House, who continued to engage in stall tactics, rather than engage in meaningful discussions.
Rather than continue down the path of political gamesmanship employed by the Speaker, the Governor has decided to not meet again until the Democrats produce a budget, which they’ve continually said they would do. Senate Republican lawmakers remain hopeful that budget discussions taking place between legislative chambers and the Governor continue, even if scheduled, formal meetings between the legislative leaders and the Governor are put on hold.
Republicans have stressed that incorporating structural reforms in the budget process would provide billions in savings, while at the same time helping to alleviate the exodus of jobs and people leaving Illinois. Without these reforms, the state will continue down the same destructive path it’s been on, which would be a disservice to the residents of Illinois.
Senate GOP lawmakers say the time to act is now, stressing the people of Illinois are tired of the status quo and are demanding change. Republicans are working to provide them with a new path forward, a path that leads to increased job opportunities, economic growth and fiscal stability in Illinois.