SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. Bruce Rauner has declared the Illinois Legislature’s spring session “a stunning failure” as lawmakers appear headed for a second straight year without approving a state budget.
The Republican governor spoke Tuesday, with just hours remaining before the General Assembly’s scheduled adjournment.
Rauner is pointing the finger at majority Democrats, saying they’ve failed to pass a balanced budget or approve any of the pro-business changes he’s pushed. He says Illinois is a financial wreck and “we need to change direction.”
House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton say Rauner is putting schools, social services and other state programs in jeopardy by insisting on legislation they say hurts the middle class.
They said earlier Tuesday they won’t vote on a short-term budget fix Rauner wants before the session ends.