Madigan Says He Is Willing To Compromise On Budget If Rauner Is "Reasonable"

(CBS) -- Illinois House Speker Michael Madigan is disputing Governor Rauner's characterization of him as someone unwilling to compromise, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.

While Governor Rauner castigates House Speaker Michael Madigan for rejecting most elements of his turnaround agenda, Madigan says it's the governor whose staked out positions on non-budget items like term limits and workers compensation.

"What we need is for everybody to be reasonable," Madigan said. "I've been through these disputes in the legislature in the past. I know from my experience that you don't solve these problems by working in the extreme. You solve these problems by working in moderation. That's what happened in the past when I worked successfully with Governor Edgar, Governor Thompson, Governor Ryan. When people are functioning in the extreme, they are not working toward a solution."

He says he's told the governor that Democrats are willing to make cuts in Medicaid, for example, but not lower the standard of living for the middle class.

"Illinois has severe budget problem," Madigan said. "You cannot cut your way out of the problem. You need cuts such as the Medicaid program cuts and you need new revenue. On new revenue, you need reasonable people to come together, look at each other, commit to be reasonable and not functioning on the extreme."

Governor Rauner says he won't call a special session if differences aren't resolved by midnight, but will continue to meet with some lawmakers.