SPRINGFIELD, IL — Gov. Bruce Rauner touted steps he’s taken that he believes will help save Illinois money amid historic budget gridlock.
The first-term Republican governor reiterated ideas he’s set into motion during a budget speech on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 in Springfield.
He told lawmakers that his plan to cut the time it takes to buy products by streamlining the procurement process will save over $500 million a year.
Rauner also said that selling the downtown Chicago building that houses state government officers, the James R. Thompson Center, will also cut costs for the state. He added that he’s also been negotiating with unions “in good faith” on plans that could save taxpayers of $3 billion over the next three years.
Rauner used his speech to give legislators a choice to either implement his cost-saving proposals in exchange for a $36 billion budget or allow him to make $4 billion in cuts to end a months-long budget stalemate.
Democrats have already balked at the idea of giving Rauner unilateral power to make cuts. And they’ve dismissed Rauner’s suggested reforms, like curbing the power of unions and instituting term limits.
A budget with cuts would be $32.8 billion because the state doesn’t have enough revenue to match a $36 billion spending plan.
The speech comes amid historic budget gridlock. The state has been operating without a spending plan for eight months.
