House Restores Budget Cuts, Senate Says No Thanks

By Kevin Robinson in News on Jul 17, 2008 4:45PM

The Illinois House voted to restore almost $500 million in cuts that Governor Blagojevich made to the budget earlier this month, although it remains to be seen if that money will make it into the budget. That’s because the State Senate still has to vote to approve the funds – and Senate President Emil Jones, a Blagojevich ally, says Illinois can’t afford it right now. "Overriding the cuts is being totally irresponsible," said Jones. "Without any money to spend, what are you going to do?" Many legislators believe that Blago cut the funds, which would fund hospitals, drug counseling and other social services, to retaliate against his political opponents. "The governor simply went too far. The governor had other options available, but he simply decided to balance the budget ... by taking it out on the workers of the state of Illinois," said Rep. Gary Hannig, on of the key budget negotiators.

Republicans, still smarting from being put in the position of having to either oppose popular spending programs or support a budget they have been critical of, had some choice words for state Democrats as well. "This is what you get when you put Democrats in charge of everything. There is no adult leadership in Illinois," said GOP Rep. Ron Stephens. Blagojevich, however, was all too happy to egg the General Assembly on, saying "These state reps, they've got to start standing up for their community and not be fearful of one political leader who they're afraid of." He also took a shot at Chicago, calling most city Democrats patronage workers who are living on the city’s dole.

The Senate has 15 days to reconvene and approve the funding restoration. Jones says that won’t happen. "They didn't pass the revenue, so there is no reason to come back," a Jones spokeswoman told the Tribune.

Photo courtesy of the Illinois Channel