Rauner Presses Lawmakers To Reach 'Grand Compromise' On Budget
CHICAGO (CBS) -- As state lawmakers head into the home stretch of the spring session, Gov. Bruce Rauner is urging them to approve a budget, along with pro-business reforms he has been seeking.
The governor said, with the Illinois General Assembly scheduled to adjourn for the summer on May 31, now is the time to get things done.
"We've got nine days left. We're encouraging those folks to come together; get a broad compromise on worker's comp, around true property tax relief, around pension reform, so we can get balanced budgets and we can grow our economy, restoring the confidence of the business community," he said.
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Standing in a warehouse in Bedford Park, Rauner said several Democrats have told him in private they agree with some of his proposed pro-business, anti-union changes to state law. Now he's encouraging them to voice their support publicly.
"Please stand up and do what you say in private you know is right. It's the right thing to do," he said.
As part of what he's calling "a grand compromise," the governor said he's willing to raise some taxes to help balance the budget.
The state has gone without a spending plan for nearly 11 months, with the next fiscal year set to begin July 1.
