West Central Reporter

The Illinois General Assembly will be heading into an extended session May 24-26 after not meeting a budget deadline of May 20.

State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) said by not having a budget in place by the end of the session, Democrats have an opportunity to be more transparent in the process. 

“Government by the dark of night cannot continue to happen in the Illinois General Assembly,” Davidsmeyer said, according to The Center Square. “We have to bring it out into the public, we have to make sure the public understands where their dollars are being spent, how they’re being spent, and what our priorities are here in the state of Illinois.”

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) said the budget process was not opened to the House GOP which as a super-minority has very limited ability to affect change. 

“Illinois Democrats have the largest majority in history and yet can not abide by their own set schedules,” McCombie said on Friday. “This failed effort was despite our own efforts with offers to help to be part of the process and bring true solutions to Illinois families.”

The budget was scheduled to be passed by Friday, May 19 at midnight. The General Assembly has until May 31 to pass a budget prior to the upcoming fiscal year that ends June 30. Legislators will next be in session May 24-26 when a final budget is expected.

Democrats sent notice to legislators on Friday that the session was being extended regarding the $50 billion budget negotiations.

Revenue has dropped significantly for the state, which saw a loss of $1.8 million since last year. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability reported the state’s income tax saw a significant decrease in 2022 accounting for the plummeting state revenues. 

"Things are still going OK. It’s just that the performance in fiscal year '22 was so sensational or exceptional, that it was just difficult for us to have that same result in fiscal ‘23," Eric Noggle, revenue manager for the bipartisan forecasting commission, told Fox News.

A point of contention is spending on Medicaid for migrants. Peoria Standard noted that the program is worth nearly $1 billion of the projected budget of $50 billion. The program is for those aged 42 and older. Democratic lawmakers sought to lower that bar to those 19 years old and older in the session but failed.