How Did Your State Rep Vote on Madigan's Budget Bill?

In arguably the most controversial vote in the General Assembly this year, Democrats on May 25 passed a state budget in which spending exceeds revenue by more than $7 billion.

Republicans were enraged that they received less than two hours to review the 500-page bill, and their anger grew on the House floor when Democrats cut debate short and moved for a vote. The bill passed 63-53 on Democratic votes exclusively.

“Oh for crying out loud. This is absolutely the biggest joke that I’ve witnessed in my 18 years in Springfield,” said House Republican Leader Jim Durkin as debate began.

Rank-and-file Republicans and Democrats had been working behind the scenes in working groups to piece together a budget with cuts, new revenue sources and reforms, but House Speaker Michael Madigan said earlier on the day of the budget vote that he believed the groups’ efforts had been unproductive.

The sudden arrival and passage of SB 2048 was viewed as Madigan’s statement of dismissal for the working group process.

Gov. Bruce Rauner has said he will veto the bill is it passes in the Senate and reaches his desk. While there enough Democrats in the House and Senate to override a gubernatorial veto, the budget bill vote was eight votes below that threshold. Seven Democrats — Reps. Kelly Cassidy, Scott Drury, Ken Dunkin, Jack Franks, Stephanie Kifowit, Elaine Nekritz and Carol Sente — voted against the bill. Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, voted present.

You can see how your local representative voted as well as video from the intense and raucous vote here.

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