Illinois House Passes Version of Yearlong Spending Plan

Finally, some movement on a budget plan in Springfield.

The Associated Press reports a proposed $36 billion state budget in Illinois has passed a critical test, but a powerful legislative leader says lawmakers will miss a midnight deadline to avoid starting a third consecutive year without a budget.

The Illinois House voted 90-25 late Friday morning on a version of a yearlong spending plan, but the proposal was an amendment so another vote is needed for final House approval.

House Speaker Michael Madigan said after the vote that lawmakers will miss the deadline for passing a budget before the new fiscal year begins Saturday, but he says lawmakers will continue working Saturday.

A missed deadline means an almost certain downgrade in Illinois' creditworthiness to "junk" status. Madigan said he's sending messages to the major bond-rating houses to give Illinois more time to secure a deal before a downgrade.

The proposed budget relies on more than $2 billion in spending cuts and a likely increase in the income tax to raise $5 billion.

Meanwhile, Illinois Senate Republican have chosen former gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady of Bloomington as new Senate Republican Leader. The vote comes one day after Christine Radogno announced her resignation as Leader and as a State Senator, effective at the end of the day.