SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois lawmakers returned to the Capitol on Tuesday to face a historic budget crisis and a ticking clock, but they displayed little sense of urgency.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois lawmakers returned to the Capitol on Tuesday to face a historic budget crisis and a ticking clock, but they displayed little sense of urgency.
Although thousands of protesters rallied to demand action, the House and Senate met for just a few minutes before adjourning.
Gov. Pat Quinn said he would consider a smaller tax increase for businesses if that would win some Republican votes then spent the rest of the day talking to legislators in hopes of drumming up support for his budget proposals.
The state’s top financial officer, Comptroller Dan Hynes, criticized Quinn’s handling of the budget mess and said officials should just start from scratch.
Illinois faces the largest budget deficit in its history, but Quinn and lawmakers can’t agree on what to do. They already have reduced the deficit from at least $11.6 billion, but Quinn says the budget lawmakers passed still has a $9.2 billion hole.
Quinn wants to use a combination of spending cuts, tax increases and budget maneuvering. Lawmakers are balking at a tax increase and have approved a budget. He says that would require drastic cuts to social service programs.
The current budget expires June 30. Without a new one, state government would face strict limits on spending money and could have to cut back on services.
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