News Local/State

Madigan Can’t Attend Budget Summit, Rauner Postpones It

 

Governor Bruce Rauner has postponed the November 18th budget summit because a family matter will prevent House Speaker Michael Madigan from attending.  Rauner deputy chief of staff Mike Schrimpf said Saturday that the meeting will instead be held December 1st in Springfield.

The change came shortly after Madigan, a Chicago Democrat, released a statement saying he needed to attend an out-of-state family funeral next week. Schrimpf offered the governor's condolences.

The much-anticipated meeting will be the first time in months that the Republican governor and the four legislative leaders have met.

They've bickered over a state budget that should have taken effect July 1.

Good-government groups encouraged the meeting before Rauner announced he would host the summit.