Dem "Anxiety" Growing Over Looming Budget Mess
House Speaker Chris Welch, flanked by Gov. JB Pritzker and Senate President Don Harmon, speak to media at an event in 2023. (Photo: State Journal-Register)
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In Springfield time, the 12 weeks remaining until the deadline to pass a new state budget feels like a lifetime away.
But, in reality, some Democrats are already admitting “anxiety” is growing to count the votes to get a new budget done.
“I think the mood of [the House Democrat] caucus is one of uncertainty,” said one House Democrats, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “I think there’s an anxiety simmering under the surface.”
There appear to be three different factions in House Democrat circles, per our conversations with multiple members and insiders. One is a small group of moderates who want Democrats to focus more on cuts and stop growth in government spending. A much larger group of the caucus would identify as “progressive,” and shudder at Governor JB Pritzker’s proposed cuts and limits on growth and want to expand spending programs.
The third and largest group of Democrats appears to be the general “rank-and-file” members that just want to get through the budget year with as little pain and political risk as possible.
At least one moderate told The Illinoize Governor JB Pritzker’s proposal to save $400 million by cutting a Medicaid-style health care program for undocumented or illegal immigrants is a “good start.”
“Now we need to get serious about cutting things we don’t need,” the member said.
But cuts may be a difficult haul with the progressive drive inside Democratic caucuses.
“Voters saw fit to send 118 Democrats (78 in the House, 40 in the Senate) to Springfield,” a progressive said. “That isn’t a mandate for Elon Musk and Donald Trump style cuts. There’s no DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) in Illinois. We’re here to help people.”
In the Senate, most Democratic members appear happy to allow Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago), the Senate Democrat chief budgeteer, and Senate President Don Harmon to handle the heavy lifting on budget negotiations.
Which continues to put eyes on the House.
“This is going to be really tough. Really tough,” one member said.
“May 31 feels like a pipe dream right now,” said another Democrat. “But there’s a long way to go before that, thankfully.”
