Democrats in Illinois say the budget they are proposing is a good step forward after a year when worrying about revenues left many wondering how bleak the budget would have to be.

One of the chief budgeteers Rep. Greg Harris says it allocates needed dollars to K-12 education and it won’t cut back on what local governments receive from the state.

The budget, approved along party lines, is set to spend $42.3 billion with $41.3 billion expected back in general revenue funds.