Illinois lawmakers return to Springfield Wednesday for another try at a budget compromise --- and there are signs that provide reason to be optimistic.

The Illinois legislature adjourned last week with no budget in place --- not even a plan to fund public schools. Illinois Public Radio Education Desk reporter Dusty Rhodes takes a look at what issues kept the lawmakers squabbling over school funding until it was too late.

The school district serving the small town of Altamont in Effingham County is holding a public meeting Monday evening, to let people know of what could happen if the governor and state lawmakers fail to agree on a budget before the next school year.

Lawmakers got a look at Governor Bruce Rauner's school funding proposal Tuesday.  Rep. Christian Mitchell (D-Chicago) and Forrest Claypool, the head of Chicago Public Schools says the plan is a continuation of a "reverse Robin Hood'' education policy where rich districts get more and poor districts get less.

The Democratic House Speaker's legislation states that education is a fundamental "right'' - as opposed to "goal'' - and that the state has the "preponderant financial responsibility'' for funding schools.   If approved, the amendment would appear on ballots in November.