Democrats Not Stressing Final Weeks of Legislative Session
Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) speaks on the Senate floor last May. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
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With about two-and-a-half weeks before the scheduled adjournment date of the spring legislative session, there seems to be little concern among Democrats about passing a budget and accomplishing top priorities before leaving Springfield.
In conversations with about a dozen House and Senate Democrats Tuesday, there was little hand wringing, as we’ve seen in recent years, about whether Democrats will be able to pass a budget before the May 24 scheduled adjournment date or how they’ll tackle other top issues in the waning days of the spring session.
Most of the lawmakers spoke to The Illinoize Tuesday on the condition of anonymity so they could speak freely.
One item Democrats say isn’t on anybody’s radar?
A new Chicago Bears stadium.
The team wants $900 million in state bonding to construct a new stadium on the lakefront and another $1.5 billion from the state in infrastructure improvements. It has been met with hostility from Governor JB Pritzker and both legislative leaders.
“The focus is more so on the budget and not the Bears,” said one lawmaker.
“I don’t really hear much about the Bears,” said another.
As many rank-and-file lawmakers are not included in budget talks, many we spoke to say there is little stress over the spending plan in the final few weeks of session.
“It is pretty chill right now,” said one legislative Democrat.
“We’re not at the 11th hour yet, so the anxiety has not peaked yet,” said another Democrat. “I’m sure it will [pick up] once we get close to the end.”
Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago), the top Senate Democrat budget negotiator, said in a statement Tuesday, essentially, that negotiations are on track.
“Throughout recent months, I have had conversations with state agencies, advocates, and leaders from all four caucuses as we negotiate a budget that solves the pressing economic problems facing individuals in all corners of our state,” Sims said. “In the weeks to come, we will continue our work toward passing a budget that is balanced and prioritizes the people, groups and agencies that need the most help.”
We asked House budget negotiator Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) for an update from the House. We did not receive a response Tuesday.
But, as always, many Democrats don’t know the ins and outs of budget negotiations.
“I’m not hearing much, so I’m assuming it’s in progress,” said another lawmaker.
As always, though, a number of last minute issues could percolate to the House or Senate floor in the final days of the spring session. One Democrat told us there is a “variety” of bills in the “late stages” of negotiations.
“It’s unclear, what, if any, will make it through in an election year,” another Democratic lawmaker said.
The lawmakers continuing to push for more spending in a new budget are progressive Democrats, who want more state “investment” into schools, infrastructure, and social service programs.
But, it appears, they’re setting their sights at an expansion of the state’s child tax credit.
“Progressives are always asking for more,” one lawmaker said, specifically asking for more funding for a child tax credit, beyond Governor JB Pritzker’s proposal to increase the current credit under the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).