Madigan: Gov. Rauner has 'tough medicine' to deliver

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A top Democratic lawmaker says Illinois' Gov. Bruce Rauner plans to deliver "tough medicine" in his budget address tomorrow.

House Speaker Michael Madigan and other legislative leaders met Tuesday afternoon with the Republican governor.

The governor has been tight-lipped about his plan as the state faces an expected $5.7 billion budget hole next year. Madigan says the governor "understands some people will not be happy" and that he "doesn't plan to propose any tax increases."

Advocates for low-income, elderly and disabled people are bracing for possible cuts to Medicaid and other programs. Rauner is also expected to propose cutting spending on higher education.

Many Democrats who control both chambers of the Legislature prefer to raise income tax rates to avoid massive cuts. Income tax rates were rolled back on Jan. 1