Will County Gazette

Political gamesmanship and a dereliction of duty by Democratic lawmakers forced the spring legislative session to end without a budget deal, Rep. Margo McDermed (R-Mokena) said, according to a press release.

"I took office at the same time as the governor,” McDermed said in the statement. “I have been a firsthand witness to the kind of political games being played over the budget. Time and time again the House has snubbed its constitutional obligation to pass a balanced budget or even adopt a revenue estimate on which to base that budget.”

Illinois has not had a full-year budget for two fiscal years, which has led to the chronic underfunding of public institutions like schools and social services, as well as a massive backlog of unpaid bills from state vendors. The General Assembly is expected to continue in a special session until June 30, but any proposal will now require approval by a three-fifths' majority.

Rep. Margo McDermed (R-Mokena)

“Speaker Madigan has said that we will hold hearings on the budget in June and I have to wonder when he finally realized that the House needs to start work on a balanced budget,” McDermed said, according to the press release. “Should the Speaker be interested in calling us back to Springfield to work and negotiate to try and rectify this situation before the end of the fiscal year, I stand ready and willing."