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 The powerful Democrat, who was elected on Wednesday to a 16th term
as speaker, said Illinois' cumulative general funds budget gap is
projected to top $11 billion over the next two fiscal years,
exacerbated by the partial expiration on Jan. 1 of a 2011 temporary
hike in income tax rates.
On Dec. 31, former Governor Pat Quinn's budget office released
projections showing the deficit in the current fiscal year, which
ends on June 30, would be $180 million.
With the election of the state's first Republican governor in 12
years, Madigan said at the swearing in ceremony for the Illinois
House in Springfield that the chamber's Republicans must step up on
budgets, which in recent years were passed solely with Democrat
votes.
 "I and House Democrats want to welcome you back, back to the active
participation in state government," he said.
Madigan also repeated his pledge to work professionally and
cooperatively with new Governor Bruce Rauner.
In addition to a big structural deficit, Illinois has the
worst-funded state retirement system and the lowest credit ratings
among the 50 states.
A 2013 state law aimed at easing a $105 billion unfunded pension
liability is before the Illinois Supreme Court, which will determine
its constitutionality.
None of the leaders of the Democrat-controlled General Assembly, who
were reelected on Wednesday, addressed the possibility of the court
tossing out the law or what their solution might be to balance
future budgets.
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Rauner, who took office on Monday and who is scheduled to unveil his
fiscal 2016 budget next month, has not revealed details of his plans
to tackle Illinois' financial woes.
Christine Radogno, who was reelected Senate Republican leader, said
Rauner's election dramatically changes the political dynamic in the
state capitol.
"We had in the Senate some bipartisan successes," she said. "But the
public is saying 'More of this please.'"
(Reporting By Karen Pierog; Editing by Alan Crosby)
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