A state budget plan that would threaten to hit legislators in their own pocketbooks is gaining early traction in the General Assembly, including being hailed as a solid solution by state Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee).
The "Taxpayer Bargain" was developed by state Sens. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) and Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods).
"I have plans to only support a budget that is balanced and does not hike taxes," Skillicorn said. "That means we need reforms to pensions, workers' compensation and how we do business. I applaud Sen. Kyle McCarter for proposing a budget that works and also works for everyday families."
The budget plan's includes a spending cap tied to lawmaker salaries: If the legislators exceed the cap, they forfeit their pay. It also aims to end legislator pensions before reforming other state employee pensions, refinance current pension bonds, pay off bills and prosecute Medicaid vendor fraud.
The budget plan is intended break the budget stalemate and stabilize Illinois' finances. It would standardize the rules and regulations that affect employers and shift education funding to the state. It would also apply a permanent property tax freeze on education.
The plan consists of 17 bills, some of which are already in the legislative process.
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