Lawmakers decide how much Illinois will have for budget

SPRINGFIELD -- As expected Wednesday, the Illinois Senate adopted the same conservative revenue estimate endorsed by the House, which could mean even deeper cuts to some programs.

The Senate voted 52-1 to declare that state government expects to collect $33.7 billion for general state spending next year. That figure is about $221 million less than the amount Gov. Pat Quinn used when he crafted a budget that calls for significant program cuts, layoffs and facility closures.

Last year, the House and Senate adopted different estimates for revenues. The Senate estimate was nearly $1 billion more than the one used by the House. Eventually, though, the Senate passed a budget based on the lower House estimate.

"Starting with the same number this year should definitely make it easier to reconcile our (budget)," said Sen. Dan Kotowski, D-Park Ridge. "We need to use a conservative number. We need to make deep, discretionary spending cuts."

If the state ends up with a surplus, Kotowski said, the money can be used to pay off old bills.

Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, said setting the revenue estimate is the easy part.

"It's going to be difficult to come to consensus on (budget cuts)," Radogno said.

Last year, the House determined how state revenues should be split among broad areas like higher education, public safety, human services and others. That hasn't happened yet this year.

Budget experts in the House said spending ultimately will depend on how successful negotiators are at finding savings in areas like Medicaid, state pensions and employee health care.

The state's next budget year begins July 1.

Doug Finke can be reached at (217) 788-1527.