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Illinois Lawmakers Prepare To Wrap Up Session

The Illinois General Assembly is winding down its spring legislative session Friday, and could wrap up a day ahead of Saturday's scheduled adjournment. Observers say just a few big issues remain. Topic A is the budget. Lawmakers spent months debating whether to make 2011’s temporary tax hike permanent or, with no other options, slash funding for state programs. In the end, they chose neither.

Using a variety of complex financial maneuvers, House Democrats approved a largely flat budget earlier this week. Senate President John Cullerton negotiated the details with his counterpart in the House, and Thursday afternoon told reporters.

“The plan is to vote on the budget tomorrow,” Cullerton said.

That would be Friday.

Lawmakers are also considering a $1.1 billion dollar road and bridge repair program. And there are other things, too, like final votes on legislation that'd allow psychologists prescribe medication, and a measure to create a retirement savings program for people whose employers don’t provide them.

Restoring Medicaid cuts

The Illinois Senate has advanced a plan to restore Medicaid cuts made in 2012. Senators voted 46-10 on Thursday to expand the program to include funding for adult dental and podiatry services. The plan cleared the House earlier this week.

Republicans have expressed concerns about sustaining services during a difficult budget year. But the the bill's sponsor, Democratic Rep. Greg Harris, says the 2012 cuts didn't save the state money because people wound up in the emergency room, which costs more.

Harris says the additional services will cost about $221 million this year. But he says federal money will cover some of the expenses, making the final cost to taxpayers about $125 million. 

Brian Mackey formerly reported on state government and politics for NPR Illinois and a dozen other public radio stations across the state. Before that, he was A&E editor at The State Journal-Register and Statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.