In his annual budget address to lawmakers, Gov. Bruce Rauner said Illinois lawmakers of both parties agree for the first time that the state needs regulatory change as well as reduced spending. "On this, we all now agree," he said. "And that is real progress.''

Democrats are proposing $700 million to partially finance various human service programs that have gone without state funding since last summer because there's no budget. A House committee on
Wednesday unanimously advanced the bill to the full chamber.

Advocates for senior citizens and people with disabilities are assessing how action Friday by the Republican governor affects services they say they depend on.

 Illinois Republican Governor Bruce Rauner is scheduled to present his budget for the financially struggling state this week. Many Democrats are concerned he will propose big cuts to social service agencies. Chicago Democrat Greg Harris says he doesn’t think Rauner’s plan to cut taxes is sustainable - if he wants to fund mental health services and child welfare programs.