11am: The 21st
Noon: Budget Address Live
[/perfectpullquote]Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is set to deliver his annual budget address Wednesday.
Rep. Greg Harris is the No. 2 Democrat in the Illinois House. He says he’s glad the governor already called for more spending on the state’s troubled child-welfare agency.
“We’re going to have limited resources to invest, but I think DCFS is a very good place to make improvements,” said Harris.
Republicans, meanwhile, say they hope Pritzker will look hard at cutting costs.
Last summer the administration had state agencies prepare a contingency plan that included 6-and-a-half-percent cuts, and Republicans want to see the results of that effort.
Ultimately, Democrats are putting their hopes in Illinois voters, who this fall are being asked to approve a graduated income tax where the wealthy pay more. It’s supposed to bring in an extra $3.6 billion per year, but only if the voters agree.