Dupage Policy Journal

State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) on Tuesday criticized House Democrats' decision to push an off balance fiscal year 2016 budget plan forward.

"I find it incredibly irresponsible that the House Democrats have brought forward a FY16 budget they know is unbalanced," Ives said. "They are promoting their spending plan, and they have offered absolutely no information as to how they will fund it.”

The $36.3 billion proposed general funds budget, Ives said, is nearly $4 billion out of balance.

Democrats control both the Senate and the House in Illinois.

“The majority party has a history of wreckless spending with no regard for how it impacts the citizens whose taxes fund our government," Ives said. "They have not earned the right to even one more cent of the public’s money. At a time when we should be discussing fundamental reforms that will cut waste, fraud and abuse from our government and maximize efficiencies in how we do business, the House Democrats have instead presented a FY16 budget that shows once again that they have no interest in reining in their spending or seeking any reforms.”

Illinois Democrats have said they would be willing to work with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner to find additional funds to balance the budget.