As Negotiations Continue, Both Sides Ask: Will It Be Enough?
House Speaker Michael Madigan speaks with reporters after a House Democratic caucus meeting on Monday, June 26, 2017. Brian Mackey/NPR Illinois
Democrats and Republicans are continuing to negotiate in Springfield as Illinois is approaching two years without a budget. Both sides are narrowing their focus.
Republicans are emphasizing three issues: lowering the cost of workers’ compensation, cutting state pensions, and freezing property taxes.
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin says if Democrats try to water down changes in those areas, he’ll have a hard time winning support for a budget deal.
“I need to sell it to my caucus. Our caucus is not about just a budget — they want to see change in Illinois," Durkin said.
Meanwhile, Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan says Durkin will have to sell someone else on whatever they negotiate.
“It will be the responsibility of the Republican leaders to persuade the governor to be reasonable on these off-budget issues," Madigan said.
Gov. Bruce Rauner has not been directly involved in these negotiations, though Republicans say they are working with him.
Rauner has made passage of his political and economic agenda a prerequisite for negotiating a balanced budget.
That’s been the main holdup over two years of stalemate, as Democrats say Rauner has been holding the budget “hostage.”
Rauner says his agenda is necessary to improve business confidence in Illinois, which he says will lead to a stronger economy.
Links
- After Long Opposing Rauner’s ‘Non-Budget’ Demands, Madigan Has Three Of His Own
- With No Budget, Shelter Says Future Is Bleak
- No Budget Means Construction Will Stop On New Lab At University Of Illinois
- What’s The Budget Impasse Costing Us?; Rockford Water Loss; Abortion Clergies
- Little Visible Progress On First Day Of Special Budget Session
- Rauner Seeks Image Of Compromise, But Budget Ultimatums Remain
- Rauner Calls For Budget Unity, Democrats Cry Foul
- Illinois Issues: What’s It Gonna Take To Get A Budget?
- Lincoln’s Challenge Academy Delays Start Of Next Class Over Budget Impasse
- Illinois Senate Leader To House: You Don’t Need Governor To Make Budget Deal
- Governor Rauner Calls Special Sessions To Work On Budget
- Senator Rose Says Budget Pieces In Place, If Madigan Willing To act
- State Senator Says Republicans Reintroduce Budget Plan They Think Was Close To Passage
- Illinois Budget Fight Goes Back To Court(s)
- At Illinois’ Public Universities, State’s Budget Mess Tracked In Lost Jobs