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Illinois legislature still working to hammer out a budget

The Illinois legislature was mired in special session and a tight deadline as they scrambled to deal with the state’s budget.

The Illinois legislature was mired in special session as they scrambled to deal with the state's budget.

Democratic lawmakers and Republican Governor Bruce Rauner clashed over how to resolve a budget shortfall of more than $3-billion in Illinois.   The Senate's Committee of the Whole met Tuesday, June 9, to focus on workers' compensation legislation.

The House was also called to return to work on budget issues as well.

Rauner said "true structural reform" is the only solution to the deficit, and that short-term fixes "don't change the long-term trajectory of the state."  He has refused to sign any fiscal plan that is unbalanced.

Rauner proposed a property tax freeze as part of what he calls his "Turnaround Agenda," which also includes term limits, redistricting, collective bargaining and reforms to workers' compensation.  Rauner has also proposed cuts to a program that gives utility-payment assistance to low-income Illinoisans.

The legislature has a tight deadline, as the next fiscal year begins in Illinois on July 1.

 

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