Ill. Legislature Moving Forward With New Budget

The Illinois Legislature is moving forward with a scaled-back budget lawmakers say will lead to layoffs and further delays in paying the state's bills.

The House is expected to vote Tuesday on the approximately $35 billion spending plan.
 
Lawmakers drafted the plan after House Speaker Michael Madigan announced his chamber had given up on extending a temporary income tax increase. That will result in a roughly $1.8 billion revenue drop next year.
 
Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) says the new budget plan ensures education spending will remain flat.   

Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) says the proposed budget is "kicking the can down the road'' because lawmakers are banking on addition revenue midway through the year.
 
That's fueling speculation that lawmakers could return after the November election and make the tax hike permanent.