Press Release from Governor Bruce Rauner

SPRINGFIELD – Governor Bruce Rauner today issued the following statement following the House of Representative’s passage of a 32 percent income tax hike without any reforms to grow the economy, create jobs, or provide property tax relief:

“When I took office, I promised the taxpayers of Illinois that I would fight every day to take this state in a new direction after decades of failed leadership from both parties. Today, Springfield has decided to give the people of Illinois the largest tax hike in history and continue out of balance budgets with no real reform.

“Under Speaker Madigan’s direction, legislators chose to double down on higher taxes while protecting the special interests and refusing to reform the status quo. It’s a repeat of the failed policies that created this financial crisis and caused jobs and taxpayers to flee. “I will veto Mike Madigan’s permanent 32 percent tax hike. Illinois families don’t deserve to have more of the hard-earned money taken from them when the legislature has done little to restore confidence in government or grow jobs. Illinois families deserve more jobs, property tax relief and term limits. But tonight they got more of the same.

“For two and a half years we have been working to find common ground on a balanced budget.  As recently as two days ago we believed that was possible.

“The legislature could have passed a no reform budget like this one two years ago. Instead, they allowed Mike Madigan to play his political games, passed phony budgets, racked up our debt and inflicted pain on the most vulnerable. All of this to force a permanent, 32 percent tax increase on Illinois families

“Moving forward, this vote shows that if the legislature is willing to pass the largest tax hike in state history with no reforms, then we must engage citizens and redouble our efforts to change the state. “​

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/durkin-budget-negotiations-hit-new-snag-as-spending-bill-changes/article_f323fe36-5f52-11e7-87bf-97f3a51bc251.html

SPRINGFIELD, IL – (Greg Bishop, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Budget negotiations at the state Capitol hit another snag Sunday as House Minority Leader Jim Durkin accused Democrats of making changes to legislation at the last minute.

Emerging from a Republican caucus meeting Sunday afternoon, Durkin said Democrats added a new amendment to their $36.5 billion spending bill.

Late Saturday, Speaker Michael Madigan announced a vote on a tax increase package would be held Sunday. But Durkin said that Republicans couldn’t put votes behind tax increases without knowing what’s in the spending plan.

SPRINGFIELD, IL – (Greg Bishop and Dan McCaleb, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Illinoisans very well could learn Sunday whether their taxes are going up and, if so, by how much. Based on legislation passed by Senate Democrats in May and ongoing discussions through June’s special session, the tax increase is expected to total at least $5 billion and include a 32 percent income tax hike on Illinois workers.

House Speaker Michael Madigan, after being accused of stalling budget negotiations earlier in the day, issued a statement late Saturday afternoon saying that the House would vote Sunday on a tax increase package he claims is supported by Republicans.

There is no agreement on a comprehensive budget package that includes reforms and revenue,” according to Senate Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Naperville, said. “This impasse can only be resolved in a negotiated manner. It is our hope that Democrats will remain at the negotiating table.”

http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/story/35792670/illinois-house-senate-adjourn-as-state-ends-2nd-full-year-without-budget

SPRINGFIELD, IL – (Rachel Krause, WPSD-TV.  Please click on the link above for the full story and video.  Here is an excerpt below.)

The Illinois House and Senate adjourned for the day Friday without passing a budget. They’ll be back Saturday, July 1. But, before they arrive, the state will officially enter its third year without a budget at 12 a.m.

With that deadline coming to pass, a credit downgrade is almost certain, experts predict. But, with lawmakers coming back right away to take up budget negotiations again, leaders hope to stave off any credit downgrades.

Republican Sen. Dale Fowler said he thinks the budget plan will be the key to ending Springfield’s stalemate. He said negotiations are going well, and he’s ready to get to work once the House approves the bill and sends it over.

“I’m very optimistic that we will. You know, those negotiations are going very well. You know, I stay optimistic and will continue to stay here as long as it takes to get a budget and get Illinois back on track,” said Fowler.

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/senate-republicans-choose-bill-brady-as-minority-leader/article_1190943e-5d9f-11e7-a418-9b7b2287f26b.html

Senate Republicans on Friday chose Bill Brady to be their caucus’ new leader.

Brady, R-Bloomington, replaces Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, who announced Thursday that she was resigning her Senate seat effective at the end of the fiscal year at midnight tonight.

Radogno introduced Brady as the new Minority Leader during an impromptu gathering at the state Capitol Friday morning.

“It’s an honor to congratulate Sen. Bill Brady as the new Senate Republican Leader,  Govenor Bruce  Rauner said. “He is a champion for Illinois families – understanding the changes our state needs to create jobs, lower property taxes, strengthen schools, and reform our political system. I look forward to working with all of the outstanding leaders in the Senate Republican Caucus as we work to fix Illinois by creating a more responsive and responsible state government.”

NOTE:  Brady lost the 2010 gubernatorial race by 32,000 to Pat Quinn.  Brady carried 99 of the 102 counties in the state.  Quinn only carried Alexander, St. Clair, and Cook County heavily.

Brady had 6,319 votes to win Franklin County in that election.  Quinn had 5,736.  sd