Reactions to the Illinois legislatures approval of a state budget

Several people and organizations issued statements following the Illinois House’s vote on Thursday to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of a budget bill and tax increase. Some statements have been edited for length.

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Gov. Bruce Rauner

“Today was another step in Illinois’ never-ending tragic trail of tax hikes. Speaker Madigan’s 32 percent permanent income tax increase will force another tax hike in the near future. His tax-and-spend plan is not balanced, does not cut enough spending or pay down enough debt, and does not help grow jobs or restore confidence in government. It proves how desperately we need real property tax relief and term limits. Now more than ever, the people of Illinois must fight for change that will help us create a brighter future.”

Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, R-Leland Grove (speaking in person to reporters)

“I think for our community, the stress of not having a budget going into the third year was immense, and the feedback I’ve received about moving a budget forward was mixed. But I think at the end of the day for our community, the fact that the impasse ... for now is over will bring certainty and relief to a lot of people who live here. ... It’s hard to describe how you feel when you vote on something that is so monumental for our community, because it’s not something that I take lightly, obviously.”

She said she talked with many constituents, who she said generally understand the issues, if not being “happy or thrilled,” but “at least understanding that under no circumstances should you be going year after year without a budget and stacking up your bills knowingly by billions and billions of dollars. That’s not acceptable behavior, and in my opinion, enough is enough.”

Read more: http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170706/reactions-to-illinois-legislatures-approval-of-state-budget