The state of Illinois has been without a budget for the past two years and could enter a third straight year without a spending plan if a budget is not sent to Illinois Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner by Friday.
As of Friday morning, a $36 billion state budget was approved 90-25 by the Illinois House, but the proposal was an amendment and still needs another vote for final House approval.
"It is hour-by-hour and leaders are talking," said WBEZ’s state politics reporter Tony Arnold. "We'll see if any side moves on this. But the deal is not done."
How did it get to be this way? On Friday, St. Louis on the Air’s “Behind the Headlines," Arnold joined host Don Marsh from the Illinois State Capitol to delve into the history of the budget crisis and what will happen if no budget is passed by Friday.
Read Arnold’s coverage of the crisis here. Read St. Louis Public Radio’s ongoing coverage here.
A few things to note:
- Illinois already has a credit ranking that marks it worst-in-the-nation. Rating agencies are threatening to downgrade the state’s credit to “junk.”
- The Illinois lottery suspended Powerball and Mega Millions sales on Wednesday over fears lottery funding would not be approved in the budget.
- Social services, such as homeless shelters and domestic abuse centers, and higher education have been hit hardest in the state, although public K-12 schools continue to stay open. Earlier this year, Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, Illinois, had to lay off 47 employees to keep its doors open.
Listen to the full discussion here:
St. Louis on the Air brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. St. Louis on the Air host Don Marsh and producers Mary Edwards, Alex Heuer and Kelly Moffitt give you the information you need to make informed decisions and stay in touch with our diverse and vibrant St. Louis region.
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