To craft a balanced budget, lawmakers must go back to the drawing board.

UPDATED JULY 19: It’s almost inevitable that the state will violate either the Fair Labor Standards Act or the Illinois Constitution

State leaders took an oath to uphold the Illinois Constitution. But they show deference to the document only as it suits them.

A last-ditch attempt at a temporary budget represented the same untenable spending pattern that taxpayers cannot afford.

For years Illinois politicians have used borrowing and budgeting gimmicks to give the false appearance of balanced budget.

House Speaker Mike Madigan wants tax hikes before any reforms pass. Of course, if there are tax hikes, there will not be reform.

If state lawmakers fail to pass a balanced budget by a three-fifths majority vote, essential programs will be harmed. But thanks to House Speaker Mike Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton, politicians will still get their paychecks.