Illinois' new Republican governor will pitch a plan for fixing the state's budget mess that includes deep spending cuts, according to three lawmakers with knowledge of the proposal.
Gov. Bruce Rauner's first budget address is set for Wednesday. Three lawmakers briefed on details of the plan that Rauner discussed with legislative leaders told The Associated Press that the governor will recommend cutting Medicaid by $1.5 billion to help close a more than $6 billion budget hole next year. They say he'll also call for cutting nearly $400 million from higher education and propose reducing state aid to local governments.
The lawmakers spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to pre-emptRauner's address.
The governor is also expected to propose hiring more than 470 corrections officers at the state's prisons. That's according to an official in the Republican's administration.
The official said the plan is expected to save the department roughly $10 million next year in overtime costs while improving safety. The official says Rauner also wants to add more than $65 million to improve inmate mental-health care and assess safety risks.
