Illinois Senate discusses budget privately, takes no vote

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois Senate passed another day in Springfield without a vote on its much-anticipated budget compromise.

Democrats and Republicans discussed the plan separately in private meetings lasting hours Tuesday. But there were no votes on the plan.

Democratic and Republican leaders have been discussing for weeks ways to break a nearly two-year budget stalemate.

Chicago Democratic Senate President John Cullerton and Republican Leader Christine Radogno (ruh-DOHN'-yoh) of Lemont hoped they had a compromise budget to present shortly after the new year.

But they failed twice in January to call it for a vote.

The wide-reaching proposal would raise income taxes to tame a multibillion-dollar deficit. It also includes business-friendly changes in law and local property-tax freeze that Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has insisted on.