Illinois House Speaker Writing Own Budget, Defying Governor
In this Feb. 17, 2016 photo, Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, left, reaches out to shake Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner's hand after Rauner delivered the State of the Budget Address to a joint session of the General Assembly. Seth Perlman/Associated Press
Illinois Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan is proceeding with his own budget proposal in defiance of Gov. Bruce Rauner's wish for a compromise that includes pro-business, union-weakening reforms to settle a nearly yearlong stalemate.
Madigan says he told the Republican governor during a meeting Wednesday that "he's not being real persuasive'' in negotiations that he's established with various groups of lawmakers.
The groups are discussing possible changes to collective bargaining policies and how injured workers are compensated by employers.
Rauner says those changes are needed to improve Illinois' finances while the state faces a $5 billion deficit.
Democrats have yet to publicly unveil their budget plan, but Madigan says it can be introduced as soon as Wednesday. Lawmakers adjourn next Tuesday.
Illinois has operated without a budget since July 1, 2015.
UPDATE: The Democratic-led Illinois House Wednesday passed a budget for next year that's in defiance of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's wish for pro-business legislation. Republicans howled in protest after Democrats stopped debate on the budget plan and voted to pass it 63-53 vote.