Lawmakers' divide over the state budget appears to be growing. Governor Bruce Rauner's been highly critical of Illinois' past budgeting practices. Back in February he introduced his own budget plan.
"For far too long we have been living beyond our means. Spending money that Illinois taxpayers could not afford."
No more, Rauner said. His plan to close a $6 billion budget gap without borrowing or new taxes would rely mostly on cuts. But also a projected $2.2 billion in savings from reductions to state workers' pensions.
From the onset, Democratic leaders decried that as unfeasible; there's no way Illinois could achieve those savings that quickly.
Now, a memo from Senate Democrats outlines nearly $3.6 billion worth of more problems. It says Rauner's plan assumes false savings.
The Democrats say much of his plan requires either changes to state law, federal approval, or a deal with unions; in other cases cuts, like to Human services programs would put Illinois in violation of court orders.
