Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed Illinois’ budget into law.
This is the first full-year budget Rauner has signed since taking office more than three years ago.
He did so at a news conference in Chicago, flanked by the Democratic and Republican legislators who negotiated the compromise.
“Today we are having a small celebration,” Rauner said. “Today is a good day for the people of Illinois.”
Illinois’ finances spun out of control during the first two years of Rauner’s administration, when no full budgets were enacted. The chaos only ended last year, when 16 Republicans broke with Rauner and helped Democrats pass a tax hike over his veto.
Rauner says he’ll continue to campaign against the tax increase, even though he signed a budget that spends every dollar it generates.
The new spending plan takes effect July 1.
