Rauner Prepares Closures, Spending Cuts If No Budget Agreement
In this Sept. 24, 2007, file photo, an Illinois state-owned aircraft is seen within sight of the state Capitol as it prepares to take off from the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)
Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration says it is reviewing Illinois juvenile detention centers for closure, preparing to close state museums and will ground state aircraft if there's no budget agreement.
Rauner released a statement Tuesday that it must prepare for the possibility there won't be a deal on spending by July 1.
He also wants to suspend the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, and suspend work on the Illiana Expressway.
Legislative Democrats approved a spending plan but acknowledge it's at least $3 billion short of revenue. Lawmakers left town at the end of their scheduled spring session Sunday but plan to return. The House will do so Thursday.
The Rauner administration says the Department of Juvenile Justice has 500 extra beds and officials will prepare to close as many as two facilities. A minimum-security prison work camp would be shuttered and state aircraft kept from flying except in emergencies.