Who has the responsibility to create a budget in Illinois?

The responsibility to create a budget in Illinois falls primarily to the Governor. The Governor plays a crucial role in the budget-making process, as they propose a budget to the General Assembly each fiscal year. This proposed budget outlines the administration's spending priorities and funding allocations, which must then be reviewed, modified, and ultimately approved by the legislative body.

While various committees and legislative members, including the House Appropriations Committee and the General Assembly as a whole, are involved in discussing and fine-tuning the budget, it is the Governor who initiates the process. The State Treasurer, on the other hand, is more focused on managing the state’s finances rather than proposing budgets. Thus, the Governor's role as the primary architect of the budget is key in understanding how fiscal responsibilities are structured within Illinois state government.