Illinois Budget Deal Heading For House Vote
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The state's epic budget impasse could end Thursday, as lawmakers were expected to vote on a stopgap spending plan, and a full-year education funding deal allowing schools to open in fall.
The wheels have begun turning in the legislative machinery that is expected to produce a budget for Illinois for the first time in a year, even if that plan would only keep state government running for six months, not the full fiscal year.
Thursday morning, the House Executive Committee quickly received and approved the key elements of the deal, setting up a full House vote later in the day.
The education spending deal that has been worked out, on the other hand, would provide state funding for public schools across Illinois for the full year, and alleviate fears that some schools wouldn't open in fall. That measure includes more funding for the cash-strapped Chicago Public Schools.
The deal would include allowing Chicago to raise $250 million in new property taxes to help pay for CPS teachers' pensions. Another $100 million for CPS would be generated by a statewide grant to aid to districts with large numbers of low-income students. Overall, the state would add about $250 million for low-income districts statewide.
The state also would pick up about $200 million of CPS pension costs starting next year.
Democrats said the deal will provide big benefits for Chicago.
"I think, for Chicago, it's knowing that our schools are going to open on time, the state has contributed several hundred million dollars to its funding. I think it's very important that human services are being funded; MAP grants and higher ed will be funded; and these institutions will finally get some relief after a year with no budget," said state Rep. Greg Harris, of Chicago.
The House was expected to approve the budget deal after members of both parties are briefed on the plan in private caucuses. After that, the plan would go to the Senate for approval later in the day.
The governor and legislative leaders were hoping to wrap up the deal by the end of the day, after a marathon negotiating session in the governor's office on Wednesday to hammer out the details.
Multiple sources said Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Mike Madigan have temporarily put aside their differences on the budget to cut a deal before the start of the next fiscal year on Friday, and ease concerns of parents worried schools wouldn't open on time in the fall without an education budget from the state.