As expected, lawmakers did not finish their business by May 31 and while accusations and heated rhetoric was flying, both Chambers said they would be back in Springfield over the summer.
Governor Bruce Rauner indicated he would not be calling a special session primarily because of the cost to taxpayers, so Speaker Michael Madigan said he would be bringing House members back one day per week over the summer until the work is completed. Senate President John Cullerton announced he will bring the Senate back on June 9.
A wide chasm exists between the Governor and the two top Democrats, over not only the budget but also the Governor’s economic agenda which includes significant workers’ compensation reform strongly supported by NFIB/Illinois.
While Democrats passed a $36 billion budget, it was short $4 billion in revenue. The Governor stated he would not sign a “phony” budget, so lawmakers left town without any budget deal. There also was no pension fix, as Illinois continues to be saddled with a $111 billion deficit. And, none of the Governor’s TurnAround agenda was passed, which he has said is a condition for him to consider supporting any tax hike.
What lawmakers face in a summer session
At the start of the legislative session, Governor Rauner had a very long list of items he wanted lawmakers to pass and in exchange he said he would support two key items that the Democrats wanted, new revenue and a higher minimum wage.
Neither side got what they wanted.
SB 11, which would have raised Illinois’ minimum wage to $11 by 2019 passed the Illinois Senate but did not get a hearing in the Illinois House.
New revenues, or tax hikes, were not discussed in any great detail by Democrats as they apparently did not want to be too out front on the issue. Speaker Madigan did call for a vote HJRCA 26, his “millionaire’s tax” which would put a 3% surcharge on incomes over $1 million. He was unable to get a three-fifths majority, which it requires since it is a change in Illinois’ constitution.
Taxes were discussed by a lot by special interest groups, who want to increase taxes for their own pet issues, and who generated reports about the need for a service tax, a tax on retirement income and a higher income tax. Again, none of those tax hikes were ever debated by lawmakers.
Rauner Agenda
Governor Rauner also failed to get his wish list passed, but some of his items were voted on in the Senate. While the Speaker held full House hearings on subject matter similar to the Governor’s agenda, they were not perceived to be “real” votes and therefore Republicans voted “present” or simply did not vote. Versions of workers’ compensation reform, lawsuit reform, local empowerment zones, and property tax relief were all voted down by House Democrats.
In the Senate, after the Governor unveiled his actual legislation, they did hold votes in various committees. SB 994 (Amendment 1) which carried the Governor’s pro-business workers’ compensation reform language was voted down in the Senate Judiciary committee on a partisan roll call. It was the same fate for the Governor’s tort reform bill (SB 884 Amendment 1). The only other item to get a vote was in the Senate Executive Committee on his property tax freeze and prevailing wage reform bill (SB 1046 Amedment 1). It also was defeated by Democrats.
When does it start to get real
In a war of the words during the final days of session, dueling press conference shed a little light into the problem at hand. The Governor continues to insist he will not give the Democrats what they want until he gets his reform agenda, and Democrats insist they will not or cannot support his reforms because they strike at the heart of their key constituencies: organized labor and trail lawyers.
A few key dates are important. The state’s current budget expires June 30 as does the current state union contract. If there is no budget, mid-July is when the first wave of paychecks would be affected. The next date of importance is in August, when schools need to get their state funding in order to allow for the beginning of the school year.
Pressure points like delayed pay checks, a striking work force and government shut down often make lawmakers get in line and compromise. Governor Rauner so far seems to relish this fight and has continually warned Democrats and Republicans that he will not back down from his agenda.
A short break may ease tensions on both sides.
