Senate Republicans Karen McConnaughay (R-St. Charles), Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) and Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) joined State Representatives Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), Patti Bellock (R-Hinsdale) and Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) today to introduce the party’s “Capitol Compromise,” a package of bills that composes a bipartisan-compromise balanced budget with reforms to end the budget impasse. Senator Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) offered the following statement in support of the budget package and urges lawmakers to return to Springfield to vote on the proposal.

“Time is running out and we need to be back in Springfield to end this budget impasse, which is why I appreciate Governor Rauner’s decision to bring the Senate back to Springfield for a Special Session starting next week,” said Senator Tracy. “The proposal that some of my Senate and House colleagues put forth yesterday contains a truly balanced budget with meaningful structural reforms. These reforms are vital if we are going to improve our business climate and create jobs. It is imperative that we come together in both chambers to pass a fair and balanced budget that can move to the Governor’s desk for his approval.”

The renewed package is based on a balanced budget bill with a four-year hard spending cap of $36 billion and approximately $5 billion in spending reductions and adjustments. Incorporated into the comprehensive plan is a four-year property tax freeze, government consolidation allowing for more local control, workers’ compensation reform providing relief to business owners while still protecting workers, education funding reform for more equitable school funding, pension reform that is expected to save taxpayers approximately $1 billion per year, and term limits for legislative leaders and constitutional officers.

Each component included in the budget proposal incorporates critical compromises from both parties, demonstrating Republican lawmakers’ willingness to reach across the aisle and work with the majority to put an end to an unprecedented budget crisis that has beset Illinois for two years. 

Gov. Rauner has indicated that the compromise budget introduced by Republican lawmakers is a true path forward for Illinois, stating: “Republicans in the General Assembly have laid out a compromise budget plan that I can sign.”

For the ‘Capitol Compromise’ or any budget proposal to pass through the House of Representatives, it will need a three-fifths majority vote—which would require the support of both parties. The General Assembly is expected to return to Springfield in late June to continue budget negotiations and legislative action.