State budget awaits Pritzker’s signature after clearing House without Republican support

State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, the House Democrats’ lead budget negotiator, presents her closing argument during the budget debate on Saturday. (Alex Degman / WBEZ)

In the wee hours of Saturday morning, the Illinois House approved a $50.4 billion state budget that Democrats called a financially responsible and “compassionate” spending plan — and Republicans blasted as “another partisan onesided budget.”

Just after 2:30 a.m., the Illinois House voted 73-38 to pass the budget, which Gov. J.B. Pritzker touted as his “fifth balanced budget,” vowing to sign it.