Illinois’ budget passes state Senate; moves to House

SPRINGFIELD (WIFR) – The Illinois Senate passes a state budget that eliminates the state’s 1% grocery tax, adds a child tax credit and more. Now, the House will have to vote on it.

The budget consists of several bills. One bill is the appropriations legislation. Another bill implements the spending. Another bill created new taxes.

“The budget is balanced, it’s fair, it’s a statement of our priorities and values, and it really does set us on a course for continuing to invest in our communities but also to building the economy where every community thrives,” said state Sen. Elgie Sims, D-Chicago, the Senate Democrats’ lead budget negotiator.

At more than $53 billion, it’s set to be the largest budget in Illinois history.

“With this budget, we continue to create the economic climate that has led to nine credit rating upgrades and an economy that tops $1 trillion. This budget addresses the challenges we face today while preparing us for the next generation,” Sims said.

It includes more than $20 billion for education, a nearly $350 million increase from the FY24 budget.

It also includes $115 million for migrant welcoming centers and nearly $630 for health care for undocumented immigrants.

The budget passed 38-21. Every Republican Senator voted against it. Two Democrats, state Sen. Patrick Joyce, D-Essex, and state Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton, D-Western Springs, voted against the appropriations bill.

“This year’s budget, from a governor that continues to control spending and continues to view the taxpayers of Illinois and the businesses of this state as his personal ATM machine to fund a political wish list as he shines his lights on his trek to Washington,” said state Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles.

To pay for the largest budget in state history, the tax bill calls for more than $800 million in tax increases. It includes as much as tripling the tax on sports betting and capping the corporate net operating loss deduction. All Republicans opposed that bill as did Joyce, Glowiak Hilton and state Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel, D-Shorewood.

“Our families in this state are struggling. And through this budget, should you choose to vote for it, like many of the other losers in this budget, you will have left them behind,” DeWitte said.

The state House of Representatives still must pass the budget bills. It’s set to return on Tuesday.

Sims and Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said Democratic leaders in both chambers agreed to pass the bills the Senate passed Sunday night.

The state House will vote on the budget this week.

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