As Illinois Budget Votes Loom in State Senate, GOP, Dem Lawmakers Spar

(Springfield, IL) – May 2, 2011. As Illinois’ budget deadline approaches, the Illinois Senate could be the next fiscal battleground.

Fresh off of a two-week break, Illinois state senators on Monday returned to the Capitol to iron out the final details of a $30-billion-plus state spending plan.

“We’re going to pass a budget, and it will be a balanced budget,” said state Sen. William Haine, D-Alton, who added that he is confident the Senate would be done by the end of next week.

Exactly how to divide the state’s dollars, however, is in dispute.

State Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, wants to see an agreement between the House and Senate that sets a price tag before lawmakers start spending.

“It is unfair to human service providers, state employees, universities to have both chambers pass a budget that is totally different and have each of them thinking that one or the other is going to be the realistic number,” Syverson said.

The House is working with a $33.2 billion budget, while the Senate is working with a $34.3 billion plan. Both estimates are less than the $35.4 billion figure that Gov. Pat Quinn said he wants to spend next year.