Just a few days are left in the spring legislative session, and the biggest challenge of any year – the state budget – is still to be debated and finalized.

At a May 27 Capitol press conference, State Sen. Jil Tracy and several of her Senate Republican colleagues expressed their concerns that the Governor is trying to take money away from job-creating programs at a time when Illinoisans need them the most.

Sen. Tracy says Illinois is flush with more taxpayer dollars than ever – an additional $16 billion – so there’s no need for tax hikes, budget cuts or a loss of previously-approved job incentives.

Lawmakers are aiming to complete work on the budget by the scheduled May 31 end of session. The budget would take effect on July 1, 2021.