By AP/KWMU
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois lawmakers began questioning a $54 billion budget deal today.
Legislative leaders hope for a vote on the pact this weekend to end the longest overtime session in at least three decades.
The deal includes $389 million in new education spending and increases in health care programs for low-income families. But it also means additional funding cuts of up to 4 percent from most state agencies.
John Filan is Governor Rod Blagojevich's budget director. He told Senate Appropriations Committee members he has no plans to ask agencies to cut spending further after the budget deal passes.
Margaret Blackshere of the AFLCIO asked the committee to consider an income tax increase rather than cut services. And state prison workers say the system can't sustain more cuts.