THE ILLINOIS SENATE APPROVED A THREE POINT EIGHT BILLION DOLLAR SPENDING PLAN THURSDAY.
THE LEGISLATION INCLUDES MONEY FOR COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITIES, MAP GRANTS, HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS, LIBRARY GRANTS, THE STATE’S POISON CENTER AND MORE. SENATOR HEATHER STEANS (stains) OF CHICAGO SAYS IT’S NEEDED TO KEEP THESE ENTITIES AND SERVICES OPEN.
OPPONENTS POINT OUT THAT THE BILL DOESN’T SPELL OUT A WAY TO PAY FOR IT, AND THAT THE HOUSE WON’T BE BACK UNTIL APRIL TO CONSIDER THE LEGISLATION.
BUT SENATOR CHAPIN ROSE OF CHAMPAIGN REMINDED HIS COLLEAGUES THAT THE BILL DOESN’T IDENTIFY A FUNDING SOURCE.
THE MEASURE WILL NEXT GO TO THE HOUSE NEXT, WHICH HAS ALREADY PASSED A SIMILAR VERSION. BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE AREN’T DUE BACK INTO SESSION UNTIL EARLY APRIL.
