HC0020 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB098 10238 JWD 40398 e

98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2013 and 2014
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
HC0020

Introduced , by Rep. Jeanne M Ives

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

ILCON Art. VIII, Sec. 2

Proposes to amend the Finance Article of the Illinois Constitution relating to balanced budgets. Provides that the State budget shall be based on estimated revenue (now funds), defines "revenue". Provides that, except for deficiency or emergency appropriations, appropriations are expendable only during the fiscal year for which they were appropriated. Provides that the General Assembly by law may establish an extended period to pay lapsed appropriations, not to exceed six months beyond the end of the fiscal year. Provides that the Comptroller must independently certify the estimated revenue for the fiscal year. Provides that no budget shall become law without the Comptroller's independent certification that the planned expenditures are less than or equal to the revenue estimates for the ensuing fiscal year.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the State for adoption or rejection at the general election next occurring at least 6 months after the adoption of this resolution a proposition to amend Section 2 of Article VIII of the Illinois Constitution as follows:

ARTICLE VIII

FINANCE

(ILCON Art. VIII, Sec. 2)

SECTION 2. STATE FINANCE

(a) The Governor shall prepare and submit to the General Assembly, at a time prescribed by law, a State budget for the ensuing fiscal year. The budget shall set forth the estimated balance of revenue funds available for appropriation at the beginning of the fiscal year, the estimated receipts, and a plan for expenditures and obligations during the fiscal year of every department, authority, public corporation and quasi-public corporation of the State, every State college and university, and every other public agency created by the State, but not of units of local government or school districts. The estimated balance of revenue set forth in the Governor's budget shall be based on the Comptroller's independent certification of revenue estimates for the ensuing fiscal year. The budget shall also set forth the indebtedness and contingent liabilities of the State and such other information as may be required by law. Proposed expenditures shall not exceed funds estimated to be available for the fiscal year as shown in the budget. "Revenue" means receipts from taxes and fees; "revenue" does not include incurring debt, refinancing existing debt, or fund sweeps. No budget shall become law without the Comptroller's independent certification that the planned expenditures are less than or equal to the Comptroller's independently certified revenue estimates for the ensuing fiscal year.

(b) The General Assembly by law shall make appropriations for all expenditures of public funds by the State. Appropriations for a fiscal year shall not exceed funds estimated by the General Assembly to be available during that year. Except for deficiency or emergency appropriations, all appropriations are expendable only during the fiscal year for which they were appropriated. The General Assembly by law may establish an extended period to pay obligations incurred during a fiscal year that would otherwise lapse not to exceed six months beyond the end of the fiscal year.

(Source: Illinois Constitution.)

SCHEDULE

This Constitutional Amendment takes effect upon being declared adopted in accordance with Section 7 of the Illinois Constitutional Amendment Act.