By Chad Lampe
Metropolis, IL – Illinois lawmakers are considering a long list of spending cuts and borrowing plans as the Democratic majority tries to round up votes for a new budget. The cuts approved Tuesday by House committees range from major Medicaid reductions to trimming legislative expenses. Committees rejected reducing the amount spent on health care for government. Democratic leaders want to borrow about $3.7 billion to make the state's annual contribution to government pensions. In a bid to attract Republicans support, they're adding GOP favored projects, such as downstate schools and coal-development plans. But Republicans say they remain opposed to borrowing. Illinois is facing a $13 billion deficit.