Suburban Democrats seek budget alternatives

SPRINGFIELD - A group comprised mostly of suburban Democrats wants the governor to freeze millions worth of state contracts and explore other options rather than unilaterally cut spending if he expects their votes for a state budget plan.

The nearly dozen Democrats involved came together after budget plans pegged on borrowing were rejected by the Illinois House earlier this month. A teleconference Tuesday among the lawmakers was the latest action.

State Rep. Elaine Nekritz, a Northbrook Democrat, said those involved are trying to come up with a "doable" plan that could be unveiled in the coming days. Lawmakers are expected back at the Capitol next week for another run at the state budget.

Nekritz declined to discuss details, saying there's not yet a final agreement.

Others involved, however, said numerous state expenditures should be examined before lawmakers are forced to consider raising taxes or cutting billions from education and other sensitive areas.

For instance, state Sen. Susan Garrett, a Lake Forest Democrat, pointed to millions of dollars worth of state contracts that will automatically renew in July. She said they should all be frozen until they are reviewed for possible elimination or suspension. While unlikely to fill the nearly $13 billion budget hole, Garrett said such a move could free some money for spending elsewhere and send the message that the state is trying to be more efficient.

"It's horrible to think you're cutting back on education when we're spending millions servicing copiers," Garrett said.

State Rep. Carol Sente, a Vernon Hills Democrat appointed to the House late last year, said the goal is to get enough members on board to block approval of existing budget plans until better alternatives are offered.

"We need to flip our own party," Sente told the Daily Herald.

It's could be a high-stakes gambit that has the potential to stall the legislative session further. If a budget isn't approved by the May 31 constitutional deadline, passage requires support from 60 percent of lawmakers rather than a simple majority. That would bring House Republicans to the negotiating table.

With elections approaching, both sides have been prone to playing politics with the budget. Faced with little appetite for cuts or tax hikes, Democrats have been trying to figure out how to push decisions off until after the November elections, which feature a governor's race between Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn who wants a tax increase and Republican state Sen. Bill Brady who's called for across-the-board cuts to balance spending.

The Illinois Senate has approved several budget plans only to have them stall in the House. Both chambers are controlled by Democrats.

Republicans, meanwhile, sensing the political sensitivity of the issue, aren't about to soften the situation by helping the Democrats and have so far withheld their votes from any budget plans.

If a deal isn't struck by July 1, the state would head into its budget year with no spending plan in place. In similar situations in recent years, government shutdowns have been averted thanks to temporary budgets or court orders.

"We're not trying to shutdown state government," Garrett said. "We're trying to make it more efficient."

The trick is coming up with a plan that can pass, as the House Democrats have so far been unable to coalesce behind tax increases, cuts or borrowing.

"We've got to try," said Nekritz.

Daily Herald staff writer Mick Zawislak contributed to this report.