In a rushed vote today, the Illinois Senate approved a set of three budget bills that raise taxes and outline $36 billion in spending.
Senate Bill 6, a spending bill that passed the House on Friday, passed the Senate 39-14.
Senate Bill 9, a revenue bill that would generate $5.4 billion by raising the income tax rate to 4.95 percent from 3.75 percent and the corporate tax rate to 7 percent from 5.25 percent, passed 36-18. It passed the House on Sunday.
Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon)
Sens. Scott M. Bennett (D-Champaign) and Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) voted in favor of both measures. Sens. Chuck Weaver (R-Peoria), Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) and Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) voted against both bills. Sens. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) and Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) did not vote on either bill.
A third measure that passed, Senate Bill 42, is known as a “paperwork” bill that details how to implement the budget.
There was little debate on the bills.
Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) said the bills needed more work and called for senators to oppose them.
“It’s regrettable that I stand today not capable of supporting this package,” Brady said. “Not necessarily because what’s in the package is bad but because it is incomplete. We need a comprehensive solution for this state. We’ve negotiated in good faith on a comprehensive solution and I regret to say that we have not come to a conclusion for that comprehensive solution.”
The bills were sent to Gov. Bruce Rauner. If signed, they would take immediate effect.
Alerts Sign-up