Illinois Legislature Meets Sunday As Session's End Looms
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois legislative leaders are meeting again with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on Sunday to try to settle a dispute that has left the state without a budget for 11 months, but the chances that they'll find agreement before the Legislature adjourns in two days are slim.
Rauner and leaders from both parties met Friday but achieved no progress on a compromise, with Republicans saying Democrats were unwilling to continue group discussions among rank-and-file members to get a budget for next year.
House Speaker Michael Madigan and the chamber's Democrats passed a nearly $40 billion budget plan that's about $7 billion out of balance last week that is headed for the Senate. Rauner has said he will veto it if it reaches his desk.
Rauner continues to push for a balanced budget tied to pro-business, union-weakening legislation he says will grow the state's economy and protect homeowners from high property taxes.
The next fiscal year starts July 1 and Illinois is the only state in the nation without a budget for the current year.
After the legislature adjourns Tuesday it will become more difficult to pass a budget because it will require three fifths support from each chamber, rather than a simple majority now.
Other legislative action expected Sunday:
— A bill to regulate daily fantasy sports betting gets its first vote in a House committee. The proposal has already passed the Senate.
— The House is expected to vote on a proposal to extend the deadline for the state's medical marijuana pilot program from the end of 2018 to July 2020.
— A House committee is scheduled to vote on a bill to automatically register people eligible to vote unless they opt out. The Senate has already approved the bill.
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