Chambana Sun

State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) said the General Assembly Democrats are mismanaging the state in the wake of missing the May 19 budget deadline.

“That's kind of the way it is in Springfield right now,” Halbrook said in a May 21 Illinois Freedom Caucus Roundtable livestream. “The majority party has basically 2 to 1 margins over us and I think they're deciding what's for lunch. And so more bad ideas coming out of the Puzzle Palace or the Bad Idea Factory or like one of our cohorts, Texas this afternoon, what did he call it, the best, the palace or the place of best practices or something? We hear a lot about best practices. So that's what's happening in Springfield is a generation of best practices.” 

The budget was scheduled to be passed by midnight of May 19, and the General Assembly has until May 31 to pass a budget prior to the fiscal year ending on June 30, Advantage News reported. Democrats notified legislators that the session was being extended for budget negotiations. Legislators are now back in session wherein a final budget is expected.

Republican lawmakers have complained the General Assembly Democrats have left the minority party out of the budgeting process. 

“We have attempted numerous meetings with the House Democratic budgeteer, with the speaker and the governor,” Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) said at a news conference, according to Northern Public Radio, West Central Reporter noted. “Only one group has met with us on more than one occasion; that is the governor and his team. No negotiations with others have occurred.”

The Illinois Freedom Caucus is comprised of Republican state Reps. Halbrook, Blaine Wilhour (Louisville), Adam Niemerg (Teutopolis), Dan Caulkins (Decatur), Chris Miller, Jed Davis (Yorkville), and David Friess (Red Bud). It is part of the broader State Freedom Caucus Network.

According to its website, the caucus says it  believes patriots are needed "who will serve in our state capitals to fight federal overreach and stand firm against those — in both parties — who prioritize seizing political power over representing constituents.”