Dupage Policy Journal

Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) had added his name to three resolutions, any one of which would allow the state's budget creation process to begin.

The General Assembly is required to approve a revenue estimate for the upcoming fiscal year as a starting point for developing its budget. Breen is co-sponsoring House Joint Resolutions 49, 50 and 51, which adopt the revenue estimates of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, and the average of the two figures, respectively.

“Our top priority right now needs to be the approval of a balanced budget, and that process begins with the adoption of a revenue estimate,” Breen said. “Until two years ago, this body was able to work in a bipartisan fashion to create a revenue number that served as the starting point of budget creation. It’s required in the Illinois Constitution and is a step we must take without delay.”

Breen said any revenue figure accepted by the assembly would set the upper limit on the state’s spending, according to the Illinois Constitution.

“Our Constitution is clear on this mandate: We must produce a number that estimates how much money we can spend," he said. "It is step one of the budget process. Our K-12 education system, our colleges and universities and agencies that provide services for our most vulnerable citizens, are relying on us to get this done.”