The "grand bargain" budget compromise is inching closer to a vote in the state senate.
While state Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) has not announced a clear decision, it is believed that he will vote in favor of the budget plan.
The budget was negotiated by Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont). While it is widely touted as a compromise, the Illinois Policy Institute's analysis found that the budget includes a 33 percent income tax hike, a sugary drinks tax and another Chicago Public Schools (CPS) "bailout" of $215 million, which will be used for the Chicago Teacher's Pension Fund. The budget does not include the pension and spending reforms anticipated by Republican lawmakers.
Oberweis took to social media to speak out on the budget compromise. He pointed out the hard work that the Senate leaders had done to reach this point in the budget but also expressed his dissatisfaction with the current compromise.
"However, so far the 'grand bargain' could more aptly be named the 'bad bargain,'" Oberweis posted. "It represents a lot of tax increases with little in the way of spending cuts and little in meaningful reforms. Hopefully that will change before it can become law."
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