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Parents, Students, Educators Press Lawmakers In Springfield Over School Funding

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois Republican leaders say they're encouraged by Democrats' willingness to negotiate a deal to end an 11-month budget stalemate despite House Democrats passing a spending plan the day before that prompted boos from the GOP.

The Republican leaders spoke Thursday after meeting with Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton.

The meeting in Rauner's office happened immediately after House Democrats passed their own budget without considering any of the Republican governor's pro-business proposals. Rauner has already threatened to veto their plan, which includes education funding for schools this fall.

Rauner says pro-business legislation needs to be part of an agreement to raise taxes to address a multibillion-dollar deficit.

Republicans say Democrats told them Thursday they're willing to continue talks on Rauner's suggestions.

The change in tenor came Thursday as busloads of Chicago parents traveled to Springfield to lobby lawmakers about a fairer school-funding system.

 (Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS Radio and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

 

 

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