Lack of action on budget vetoes disappointing

        According to the Illinois Constitution, the Senate has 15 days to consider overriding vetoes acted on by the Illinois House. That makes this Thursday, October 25, the deadline for the Senate to concur with the House’s recent override of the Governor’s budget vetoes, which diverted nearly $50 million earmarked for nursing home residents, $80 million for the state’s education system, and $120 million in health care spending for the state’s Medicaid program.

        “I feel very strongly that, given the opportunity, the Senate would have had more than enough votes to restore the budget cuts made by the Governor,” said Hultgren. “There has been ample time for us to act on the vetoes; however, Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago) was unwilling to give us the opportunity to do so. It’s very disappointing as this is yet another example of failed leadership in Springfield.”

        Hultgren explained that some funding the Governor reduced in the budget had been restored, including funding for the Attorney General’s office, the Supreme Court, and the Auditor General.

        “While it was important to restore the funding to a number of state agencies, a great number of Illinois residents were let down by not addressing every budget veto,” Hultgren said.