Illinois House OKs road funds, child-welfare money
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House approved reallocating spending and taking advantage of new funding Tuesday after contentious debate in which Republicans claimed majority Democrats were creating $2 billion in new programs instead of fixing the state’s wrecked budget.
The 63-52 vote sends the appropriation bill to the Senate. It’s part of an annual exercise in which lawmakers shore up parts of state government that are running short of money.
The legislation would put $675 million to work on road construction this spring after an unanticipated infusion of federal money and freed-up state funds. It moves $25 million saved from closing prisons to child-welfare services and authorizes a half-year’s payment for state employee health insurance.
House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie urged legislators to “do the right thing” and approve the bill that could save as many as 1,900 jobs at the Department of Children and Family Services.
But GOP legislators cried foul, saying Democrats invariably “demonize” them for opposing such measures.
“I’m tired of the other side telling me I don’t care about anything,” said Rep. Dennis Reboletti, a Republican from Elmhurst.
How suburban lawmakers voted
<b>Yes </b>
Linda Chapa LaVia, Aurora Democrat; Deborah Conroy, Elmhurst Democrat; Fred Crespo, Hoffman Estates Democrat; Keith Farnham, Elgin Democrat; Stephanie Kifowit, Aurora Democrat; Rita Mayfield, Waukegan Democrat; Michelle Mussman, Schaumburg Democrat; Elaine Nekritz, Northbrook Democrat; Carol Sente, Vernon Hills Democrat; Kathleen Willis, Addison Democrat; Sam Yingling, Round Lake Beach Democrat
<b>No</b>
Patti Bellock, Hinsdale Republican; Tom Cross, Oswego Republican; Scott Drury, Highwood Democrat; Jim Durkin, Western Springs Republican; Mike Fortner, West Chicago Republican; Kay Hatcher, Yorkville Republican; Jeanne Ives, Wheaton Republican; Michael McAuliffe, a Chicago Republican; David McSweeney, Barrington Hills Republican; Tom Morrison, Palatine Republican; JoAnn Osmond, Antioch Republican; Sandra Pihos, Glen Ellyn Republican; Dennis Reboletti, Elmhurst Republican; Ron Sandack, Downers Grove Republican; Darlene Senger, Naperville Republican; Ed Sullivan, Mundelein Republican; Michael Tryon, Crystal Lake Republican; Barbara Wheeler, Crystal Lake Republican
<b>Didnt vote</b>
Jack Franks, Marengo Democrat; David Harris, Arlington Heights Republican; Timothy Schmitz, Batavia Republican