Kankakee Times

Rep. Lindsay Parkhurst (R-Kankakee) said she couldn't believe House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) would not even call a vote on budget legislation before the end of the spring legislative session, according to a press release.

“It is unthinkable, unconscionable, and unexplainable that the House failed to fulfill its constitutional duty to pass a balanced budget and glaringly failed to advance any budget at all,” Parkhurst said in the statement. “I came to Springfield prepared to work for the people of the 79th district on the biggest issues facing our state including the budget and pension reform. Unfortunately, discussions about the budget failed to occur. My efforts to call for the constitutionally required revenue estimate fell on deaf ears and it was never adopted or even entertained.”

Parkhurst said since Madigan controls which bills are called for a vote in the House, but instead of bringing up the budget, Madigan called bills on catfish sold in restaurants and feral cats.

The General Assembly has until June 30 to agree to a budget plan, according to a Reuters report. The new fiscal year begins on July 1.

“As a freshman representative, I am energized and excited to do all I can do to push the budget to the forefront,” Parkhurst said in her statement. “I am disappointed with the absolute control the majority wields and frustrated by the failure of leadership in the House under Speaker Madigan to get past political games and do what is right for Illinois."