McHenry Times

In the midst of an election year, Illinois finds itself grappling with criticism over its budgeting process. Concerns have been raised about the way state spending is handled, with accusations of lack of transparency and accountability in the formulation of budgets.

A member of the General Assembly, who has served since 2017, expressed dissatisfaction with how budgets are negotiated in secret and compiled into one large bill. "Ever since I arrived in the General Assembly in 2017, the budget is rushed, negotiated in secret behind closed doors and cobbled together in one giant bill," he stated. He criticized the current process as producing a "bloated, irresponsible state spending plan full of back-scratching deals."

The legislator proposed several changes aimed at improving this process to achieve a balanced budget that could garner bipartisan support:

1. **Pass a Revenue Estimate**: This involves agreeing on available revenue through a statement or resolution passed by both legislative chambers. The intention is to minimize reliance on unclear financial calculations.

2. **Break Up the Budget Bill**: Instead of one comprehensive bill, budgets should be divided by subject area—such as education and healthcare—to facilitate more responsible planning and potential bipartisan agreement.

3. **Go Through Public Appropriation Committees**: The suggestion here is for budget discussions to occur publicly within committees where priorities can be balanced and effective programs identified.

4. **Have a 72 Hour Waiting Period**: A waiting period before voting on a final budget allows for adequate consideration and aligns with constitutional intentions for deliberation periods on new bills.

5. **Hold Budget Accountability Hearings Throughout the Year**: Regular hearings would provide oversight on how approved budgets are implemented by the executive branch.

Reflecting on this year's budgeting outcome, he noted it was wrapped into a single bill—the largest ever—and relied heavily on new taxes while including significant funding allocations such as $1 billion for non-citizens. Despite supporting some initiatives funded by these allocations, he could not endorse what he perceived as misuse under current procedures.

Expressing his commitment to reforming this process, he emphasized his desire for transparency and responsibility in handling taxpayer money moving forward.

Beyond fiscal matters, local events such as Railfest continue to engage communities like Woodstock through interactive activities involving train displays across various businesses—a tradition evolving from pandemic times into an annual gathering attracting enthusiasts statewide.