Feb. 17 --- that's when the governor's to give his next budget speech. It could be that Rauner makes history; presenting a budget proposal for the next fiscal year, even as there isn't a current one in place.
Not having a state budget has led to a lot of consequences. One of the more visible ones, Christmas lights.
Rauner's moving forward with rule changes that drastically reduce -- by 90 percent -- who's eligible, by lowering the income threshold. A new parent trying to get child care assistance will find she makes too much money, if she's working 40 hours a week at a minimum wage job.
A stalemate that's left Illinois without a budget has taken a new political turn. It comes as the Attorney General is asking a court to determine what bills Illinois can pay when the state has no spending authority.
Illinois is officially without a state budget -- the deadline to pass one came and went without any movement toward a compromise. Lawmakers are poised to vote on a temporary version Wednesday.
No state budget means Illinois has no authority to cut checks.
