Illinois Speaker of the House, Michael Madigan, called for an extension to the spring session after legislators on Sunday, May 31, could not come to an agreement on a balanced state budget.
"This is the first time since I've been elected that we have not had a resolution before the set adjourn date," said Mike Smiddy, Illinois State Representative for the 71st District. "It's my hope that we can compromise and get something done before July."
Legislators in the Democratic-controlled State House and Senate will have to work fast before the new fiscal year begins on July 1st.
"Let me be crystal clear, they are not about the middle class, they are about the political class in Illinois," said Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner on Sunday. "This is a battle for the future of Illinois and it puts the political class against the people, the middle class, all income levels. That's what's going on here."
However, Democrats said it's the Governor's agenda that is slowing things down.
"The biggest [holdup] is the governor trying to implement his turnaround agenda, which is non-budget related matters, into the budget discussion," Smiddy said.
In an effort to pull Illinois out of its $1.6 billion deficit, Governor Rauner has proposed a turnaround plan. In his plan, he proposed sweeping reforms across the state such as job growth proposals, a property tax freeze, and pension reform.
Governor Rauner also proposed his own state budget in February that cuts $600 million from cities across the state. In the Quad Cities, around $5 million would be cut from Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline combined.
"I hate cuts, I don't want to have to make cuts, but we also have to live within our means," said Governor Rauner.
The extended session won't cost the taxpayers any extra money because it was the Speaker who called for the extension, instead of the Governor.