Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Freedom Caucus is questioning why the state’s Democrats could not get a budget out by last week’s deadline.

“A calendar that came out in January. A budget address in February. 16 weeks of session. And yet, the Democrats could not get their act together to deliver a budget bill by their own deadline. We'll be back in session next week- which will cost taxpayers even more money. Ironic,” Illinois Freedom Caucus said in a Facebook post. 

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) said the budget process was not opened to the House GOP which as a super-minority has very limited ability to affect change. “Illinois Democrats have the largest majority in history and yet can not abide by their own set schedules,” McCombie said Friday evening. “This failed effort was despite our own efforts with offers to help to be part of the process and bring true solutions to Illinois families."

The budget was scheduled to be passed by Friday, May 19 at midnight. The General Assembly has until May 31 to pass a budget prior to the upcoming fiscal year that ends June 30. Democrats sent notice to legislators on Friday that the session was being extended regarding the $50 billion budget negotiations. Legislators will next be in session May 24-26 when a final budget is expected.

Revenue has dropped significantly for the state, which saw a loss of $1.8 million since last year. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability reported the state’s income tax saw a significant decrease in 2022 accounting for the plummeting state revenues. "Things are still going OK. It’s just that the performance in fiscal year '22 was so sensational or exceptional, that it was just difficult for us to have that same result in fiscal ‘23," Eric Noggle, revenue manager for the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, told Fox News.

One point of contention is spending for the Medicaid for migrants program. Medicaid for noncitizens is worth nearly $1 billion of the projected budget of $50 billion. The program is for those aged 42 and older. Democrats sought to lower that bar to those 19 years old and older in the session but failed.

Also at question is the future of the Invest in Kids Act. The Tax Credit Scholarship Program allows for donors to receive a tax benefit for donating to a state- maintained scholarship program for private schools for low-income families. The fund, which provides backing for around 9,000 children to attend private schools, is set to sunset on Dec. 31 if not extended by the General Assembly.

Republican lawmakers wrote a letter urging continuation of the program.

“We the undersigned members of the Illinois General Assembly are expressing our support of the extension of the ‘Invest in Kids’ Scholarship Fund,” the signatories wrote. “This is a shared priority of both caucuses which benefits the education of underprivileged children. We look forward to the sunset of this program being extended.”