Illinois will likely enter the month of August without a full year budget plan in place. The longer the impasse continues, the more the impact will be felt.
Most Illinois residents are probably busy with their summer and less focused on the state budget. After all, schools are expected to open on time as their funding has been approved. State workers have been getting paid, even without a budget. State Representative Tim Butler, a Springfield Republican, says the ongoing fiscal fight will start to show up in more ways:
"People who rely on state funding for a variety of sources, especially when it comes to human services., I think we are going to start to see cuts. We've heard stories of people already getting laid off. I think both sides, Democrats and Republicans, by not coming to a compromise we are going to see some of these services go by the wayside because the fact that both parties can't work together to get something done."
Butler says he feels Democratic leaders and the Republican governor are dug in. But he says he remains hopeful that once an agreement is reached and both parties see they can work together, there will be less acrimony going forward.
House lawmakers are scheduled to be in session Tuesday. Senators are expected to return to the statehouse next week.