Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale, Illinois

Southern Illinois lawmakers weigh budget deal with education boosts

Southern Illinois lawmakers examine a tentative budget adding 389 million dollars for elementary and secondary education with 410 million in new revenue from ending corporate tax breaks. The plan calls for a four percent across the board cut in most agencies and aims to save 440 million, on top of 860 million in earlier cuts, yielding a net increase of 500 million over the 2003-04 fiscal year though 400 million less than February’s proposal. Lawmakers Bradley Forby and Gary Forby caution on the cuts and tax moves while rallying for malpractice reform and education funding, with votes expected as the General Assembly reconvenes Friday.