Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has pulled his support for a measure that would allow billions in federal funds to flow to Illinois social service programs now that more spending has been added to the bill.
The legislation to authorize the spending of $5 billion in federal funds cleared the Senate last week with bipartisan support, but it ran into trouble in the House.
Republicans backed away from the measure Tuesday after House Speaker Michael Madigan added $1.5 billion in additional funding, including $585 million in state money, to the legislation. Rauner described the state funds in the bill as a "poison pill."
Democrats say that the additional money will be used, in part, for child care and early intervention programs as well as meals for seniors, cancer screenings and an initiative that helps low-income households pay for their utilities.
"After examining the legislation passed by the Senate, which Governor Rauner expressed his support for, we were contacted about additional programs of vital importance to the health and well-being of families across Illinois where the state and federal governments both provide funding," reads a statement from the House speaker. "We believe funding for these programs, which can be delivered despite the lack of a state budget in place, is needed before the measure is sent to the governor."
The amended legislation cleared a House committee Tuesday with no Republican "yes" votes. It now heads to the full House for consideration.
The Rauner administration has indicated that the governor would veto the measure with the additional spending.
"Governor Rauner has supported and continues to support a clean federal pass-through appropriations bill," Rauner spokesman Lance Trover said in a statement. "Unfortunately, Speaker Madigan continues to play games with taxpayer money and is trying to force through higher state spending with no budget."