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.

The broken state budget proposed by House Speaker Mike Madigan includes spending on wine production, mosquito abatement and a student newspaper.

If Madigan wants borrowing, tax hikes or some combination of the two, he should present his wish list to Illinois taxpayers.

The array of six tax-hike proposals adds up to more than the state’s total projected general-fund spending in fiscal years 2016, 2017 and 2018 – combined.

Only a handful of state legislative leaders earn larger leadership bonuses than Illinois’.