Gov. Bruce Rauner is giving Illinois lawmakers a choice to either implement his cost-saving proposals in exchange for a $36 billion budget or give him authority to make $4 billion in cuts to end a months-long budget stalemate.  The options are outlined in the Republican governor's budget address to lawmakers Wednesday.

Education may once again receive special treatment from Republican Governor Bruce Rauner, when he presents his budget message to the Illinois General Assembly at noon on Wednesday.

Gov. Bruce Rauner is scheduled to deliver his budget message to the Illinois General Assembly this Wednesday. In advance of that, interest groups are lining up to plead their case for state funding. On Monday, representatives of the state’s colleges and universities made one such pitch.