Springfield , IL – The May 31 adjournment date for the Illinois General Assembly has come and gone without an agreement on a budget for next fiscal year. State Sen. Dan Rutherford (R-Pontiac) says that while it is disappointing the Governor and the legislature could not finish its business on time, they now have a unique opportunity to carefully work together to draft a responsible budget.
“It’s unfortunate that the majority party couldn’t wrap up their business by May 31,” said Rutherford. “Rushing through budget negotiations and forcing massive tax increases upon Illinois residents is not the way to go. Now is the time to do the right thing; we need to work together as statesmen for all the people of Illinois.”
Rutherford explained that because the General Assembly failed to approve a budget before the May 31 st deadline, the Illinois Constitution requires the budget to receive a three-fifths majority in both chambers. The last time the legislature went into overtime was spring of 2004.
“In the eleventh hour, the Governor and other Democrat leaders attempted to put together a budget without any Republican input,”
Rutherford said. “They were unsuccessful in this bid, which means Republicans will get a seat at the negotiating table. As we head into overtime, I look forward to the opportunity of working with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to develop a responsible, comprehensive budget that benefits all of the residents of Illinois .”