Governor JB Pritzker and the General Assembly say that they finally have an agreement on the budget.  Governor Pritzker says this budget will prioritize fiscal responsibility while making transformative investments in early childhood and higher education, public safety, workforce development, behavioral and mental health services and more.  

This is the fifth balanced budget since the Governor has taken office.  Illinois Senate President Don Harmon agreed saying that “We’ve put together a responsible balanced budget that recognizes our shared goals and commitment to making progress on key issues for the people of Illinois.  The Governor says that this looks to the future of Illinois.

Not everyone is happy with the budget, which has extended this congressional session in Illinois because the two sides could not come to an agreement, has ruffled feathers among many Republicans and even some Democrats.  State Representative Brad Halbrook says it is anything but responsible. 

Extended negotiations over the budget required lawmakers to skip last Friday’s scheduled end to the legislative session.  The budget agreement is more than $50 billion in spending.