Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The biggest inspiration can be the deadline.
Illinois lawmakers face their annual May 31 conclusion to their spring session with much undone business, including a “mega projects” bill which could lead to a new stadium for the Chicago Bears.
“We haven’t seen the complete legislation,” said State Sen. Sally Turner (R-Beason). “I understand that the House is going to look at it again and do some amendments, and then it will come back over to us, and I’m sure we’ll make some amendments, too, but there is a lot that has to be worked on with regards to taxes.”
By the time midnight Sunday night rolls around, you can count on Republicans to complain they have been left out of the budget process.
“We’ve been looped in on some of the talks with different agencies to help find loopholes, maybe where there is overspending, things of that nature,” said Turner, “but other than for wish lists, no, we are not part of that conversation.”
State Rep. Sue Scherer (D-Decatur) says her constituents are telling her that between gas and groceries, they cannot make ends meet. “We’re facing the aftereffects of what’s happening in Washington. And when they keep taking everything away that people need for basic survival,” said Scherer, “then we need to rearrange everything else to try to offset that, then that doesn’t give us any leeway on anything else.”
Both the House and Senate met briefly Monday – Memorial Day – before taking on the rest of the week.
