McHenry Times

When the House returned to work after a brief break, Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) said you wouldn't know if from where he stood.

“On the Tuesday before we left for our break, I filed three different revenue estimates and invited everyone in this chamber to join me in supporting the first step in the actual House budgeting process,” Wheeler said. “Other than a clerical error regarding sponsorship to HJR51, I’ve yet to hear from anyone of my friends on the other side of the aisle supporting any of these revenue estimates.”

Wheeler demanded that some kind of budget process be undertaken before the end of the session this month.

Illinois has been without a proper budget for over two years as Gov. Bruce Rauner and his administration have butted heads with Democrats in the General Assembly over a complete and balanced package, fighting over issues such as cuts in spending, workers’ compensation, pension reforms and union contracts.

A stopgap budget was passed in June to temporarily fund some of the most vital services, such as education and social programs, but it expired at the end of December. Illinois started 2017 without a budget, and Wheeler fears it will end spring the same way.

"We are putting ourselves in a very difficult position to finish this session through the normal appropriation process which we have in place,” Wheeler said. “In order for us to prepare a real and thoughtful balanced budget, we have to work together. When are we willing to actually start that process?”

Wheeler concluded that if Illinois residents and taxpayers can understand the concept of a budget, then the House should, too.

“For the record, Illinois families and taxpayers understand that it is only common sense to first determine how much you have to spend before you actually start spending it,” he said. “Until two years ago, this body and this state did, too.”