CHICAGO — To enact his progressive agenda, Mayor Brandon Johnson is looking to Springfield for an assist, but powerful Speaker of the Illinois House Emanuel “Chris” Welch warns that money is tight.
“The mayor of Chicago and mayors all across this state will have to come to us with realistic expectations. They can expect to hear us say ‘no’ from time to time,” the Democrat told WGN during a Monday sit-down interview. “We’re entering into this budget season with a $3.1 billion projected deficit, that’s billion with a ‘B.’
Last week, Gov. JB Pritzker slammed Johnson and his team for not developing good relationships in Springfield. Welch calls Johnson a “very good friend” whom he’d like to help if the mayor would get specific about what he wants…