Senate GOP call for fiscal discipline as Illinois faces potential $3.2 billion budget deficit

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State lawmakers headed back to Springfield Tuesday with a tough pill to swallow. The governor's office of management and budget projects a $3.2 billion budget deficit. Lawmakers also know the Chicago transit system faces a fiscal cliff and Chicago Public Schools leaders have demanded $1 billion more in state funding.

Senate Republicans have consistently told their Democratic colleagues to stop spending money the state doesn't have. Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove) said Gov. JB Pritzker has increased the state's budget by nearly $13 billion since he took office in 2019.

Curran stressed that it is time for Democrats to course correct and work with Republicans to cut spending.

"The people of Illinois are not happy with the incompetent governance that your administration has displayed," Curran said. "They're not happy that your administration continues to fail our most vulnerable populations."

Senate Republicans said Pritzker should pledge that he will not raise taxes on Illinois families and businesses next year.

The Pritzker administration said Republicans are always welcome at the table to work on a practical balanced budget.

"Past experience shows that this sort of showy political theater is the extent of their actionable concern for our state's economy," said Pritzker spokesperson Olivia Kuncio.

Still, Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) said Democrats need to stop Pritzker from spending taxpayer dollars however he chooses.

"To have a conversation, the governor has to be here," Rose said. "He has to be in Illinois, not running around the country campaigning for president. He actually has to be in Illinois, in Springfield, talking to legislators about a budget."

Senate GOP leaders suggested Illinois could make a dent in the budget deficit by cutting spending on healthcare and housing for migrants.

"The governor will submit a balanced budget as he has done every year since taking office and he remains committed to taking steps to further improve Illinois' fiscal position and address any potential budgetary shortfalls that may arise," Kuncio said.