Illinois Legislature Adjourns, No Talks Scheduled

The drive to come up with a state budget broke down completely Tuesday night, meaning Illinois will begin a new fiscal year without any plan for paying its employees or delivering government services.

Government won't shut down without a budget in place, but the situation creates uncertainty for anyone who depends on state money: government workers, road crews, community agencies caring for the sick and needy, and more.

The Illinois Legislature adjourned Tuesday night without any firm plans to return or even for the governor and legislative leaders to resume negotiations.

Earlier on Tuesday, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn promised a veto if lawmakers send him a budget that fails to balance and slashes key services.

In a hastily arranged speech to a joint session of the Illinois House and Senate, Quinn urged lawmakers to put aside their political concerns and do whatever is necessary to produce a sound budget.

The Democratic governor said he is prepared to stay in Springfield all summer to get results.

Quinn wants to raise taxes to close the largest budget deficit in Illinois history. But many lawmakers oppose that idea.