Illinois to start second year without a budget
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois appears poised to enter a second year without a budget after lawmakers finished their legislative session without agreement on a spending plan, setting up a November electoral showdown while public schools and social service providers brace for an uncertain future.
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s suggestion for a last-minute, short-term budget to give the state some near-term stability amid the 11-month impasse also failed to gain traction with ruling Democrats, who also clashed among themselves.
Hours before adjournment, Rauner delivered a verdict on the past five months.
“Today we end the spring session of the General Assembly in stunning failure,” he said, blaming Democrats for prolonging the budget battle in what sounded like an election-year stump speech.
Democrats argue Rauner’s yearlong insistence on passing pro-business legislation and curbing the power of unions — one of their strongest constituencies — is the reason for the historic impasse.
