Governor Rauner told reporters at a Wednesday news conference that he would not lockout state employees, but that contract negotiaitons with AFSCME are "stuck", and a strike would be something he couldn't control. Meanwhile, an AFSCME spokesman says the governor's "extreme demands" could force a strike.

House Democrats Thursday approved a 30-day budget, sending it back to the Senate.  But Governor Bruce Rauner has been on record saying he won't sign a temporary budget, calling this one "unbalanced."

Gov. Bruce Rauner and AFSCME, the state's largest public employees union, have agreed to extend their current contract for one month, postponing the possibility of a strike or lockout.

Republican Governor Bruce Rauner has vetoed the bulk of the Illinois budget that the Democratic-controlled Legislature sent him.

Lee and Grundy Counties in northern Illinois have been declared state disaster areas by Gov. Bruce Rauner, after possible tornadoes caused severe damage in the towns of Coal City and Sublette.