The Illinois House Thursday passed legislation to pay nearly $4 billion for higher education and social services - without the money to back it up. Democrats call it a compromise effort, but House Minority Leader Jim Durkin says his party was caught off guard. The measures were just introduced Wed. night.
“I'm waiting for you and your side of the aisle to work with us to try to find a compromise, not shoving a bill down our throats and the taxpayer's throat which you're doing right now," Durkin said.
Republicans say the plan will add to the state's deficit.
The legislation uses an accounting trick to provide some revenue to back up the spending. It says the governor doesn't have to pay back money taken out of special funds. The package now heads to the Senate. Democrats say after eight months without a budget, Illinois can't wait any longer to fund important services.
Republicans insist the Democrats' idea was an empty promise ahead of the March 15 primaries.
