advertisement

The Latest: Illinois Senate rejects House budget plan

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Latest on the last day of the Illinois legislative session as lawmakers and the governor try to end an 11-month budget standoff (all times local):

9:58 p.m.

Illinois Senate Democrats approved a nearly $16 billion bill for public schools next year while rejecting an out-of-balance House spending plan that the governor threatened to veto.

The Senate bill would add nearly a billion dollars to schools at a time when the state is running a massive deficit. Republicans said the bill was unrealistic and it was unclear if the House would take it up before concluding the year's session Tuesday night.

Shortly after passing the education bill, the Senate overwhelming rejected a $40 billion budget plan that House Democrats passed last week.

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner said the House bill was $7 billion out of balance and he was going to veto it.

___

9:10 p.m.

Illinois Senate Democrats won't consider the $40 billion budget bill the House passed last week before they conclude this year's session and instead will push for a stand-alone bill to fund public schools.

But with just hours left before lawmakers finish this year's session it is appearing likely lawmakers won't pass a full budget or a budget for just public schools.

Illinois has been operating without a budget for 11 months.

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner said he was going to veto the House's budget bill if it passed the Senate because it's $7 billion out of balance.

Democratic Sen. Heather Steans said Tuesday her party does not have enough votes to pass the House's bill in their chamber.

The Senate education bill would appropriate nearly $16 billion for public schools next year.

___

5:55 p.m.

Gov. Bruce Rauner has declared the Illinois Legislature's spring session "a stunning failure" as lawmakers appear headed for a second straight year without approving a state budget.

The Republican governor spoke Tuesday, with just hours remaining before the General Assembly's scheduled adjournment.

Rauner is pointing the finger at majority Democrats, saying they've failed to pass a balanced budget or approve any of the pro-business changes he's pushed. He says Illinois is a financial wreck and "we need to change direction."

House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton say Rauner is putting schools, social services and other state programs in jeopardy by insisting on legislation they say hurts the middle class.

They said earlier Tuesday they won't vote on a short-term budget fix Rauner wants before the session ends.

___

11:25 a.m.

Illinois Democrats say they won't take up Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's suggestion for a short-term budget fix before they conclude this year's legislative session on Tuesday night.

House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton said after meeting with the governor Tuesday that they'll refer his idea to legislative working groups for consideration.

The Rauner administration proposal is a last-ditch effort his office says "serves as a bridge to keep government functioning" while long-term budget negotiations continue. Illinois hasn't had a budget for 11 months.

Republican leaders said they were disappointed Democrats were instead considering a $7 billion out-of-balance budget that Rauner is expected to veto.

Rauner previously opposed a temporary fix but now there's anxiety there won't be funding for schools to open this fall.

___

11:05 a.m.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel say a plan to reduce payments to city police and fire pension funds is another step toward improving Chicago's financial outlook.

He addressed reporters Tuesday in Chicago, a day after state legislators voted to override GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto, including some Republicans who broke ranks to support it. The first-term governor characterized the plan as kicking the can down the road, saying it'd cost taxpayers nearly $19 billion more over time.

Emanuel disagreed, saying that without the relief Chicago would be forced to issue a $300 million property tax hike. He says the city has taken other steps to right the financial ship.

Chicago's payments to the funds are set to increase to $840 million this year, up from $300 million. The legislation sets the 2016 payment at $619 million.

___

9:50 a.m.

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner is proposing a short-term budget fix for Illinois that funds public schools through next year and provides support for financially-strapped social service providers.

The proposal from the Rauner administration is last-ditch effort they say "serves as a bridge to keep government functioning" as the governor and lawmakers continue negotiating a full budget.

Illinois' legislative session concludes Tuesday night.

Rauner and Democrats who rule the Legislature have been gridlocked for nearly a year over how to proceed with a budget for the fiscal year that began in July 1.

Rauner wants business-friendly legislation he says will spur economic growth in exchange for signing off on a tax increase to address a $5 billion deficit. Democrats say Rauner's ideas hurt the middle class.

Rauner and legislative leaders are meeting Tuesday morning.

___

8:20 a.m.

Illinois lawmakers have one day left to end an 11-month budget stalemate and pass a spending plan for next year before their spring session ends and it becomes more difficult.

Democrats remain deadlocked Tuesday with Gov. Bruce Rauner and his fellow Republicans on how to pass a budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Lawmakers need a simple majority to pass a budget before they adjourn Tuesday night. After that they'll need three-fifths support from each chamber.

Rauner wants business-friendly legislation he says will spur economic growth in exchange for signing off on a tax increase to address a $5 billion deficit. Democrats say Rauner's ideas hurt the middle class.

The Senate is expected to consider a $7 billion out-of-balance budget passed by the House. But Rauner said he'll veto it.

Illinois Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, left, and Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, right, speaks to reporters outside the Governor's office at the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, May 31, 2016, in Springfield, Ill., as lawmakers press ahead in the last day of the spring legislative session. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner proposed a short-term budget fix on Tuesday in a last-ditch effort to give the state some temporary stability during a nearly yearlong spat between the Republican and Democratic lawmakers over a spending plan.(AP Photo/Seth Perlman) The Associated Press
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, speaks to reporters outside his office at the state Capitol, Tuesday, May 31, 2016, in Springfield, Ill., as lawmakers press ahead on the last day of the spring legislative session. Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, is on right. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) The Associated Press
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, surrounded by fellow Republican lawmakers, speaks to reporters outside his office at the state Capitol, Tuesday, May 31, 2016, in Springfield, Ill., as legislators press ahead on the last day of the spring legislative session. Illinois Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, left, and Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, right, look on. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) The Associated Press
Illinois representatives gather on the House floor during session at the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, May 31, 2016, in Springfield, Ill., as lawmakers press ahead on the last day of the spring legislative session. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) The Associated Press
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, answers questions along with Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, right, during a press conference in front of Gov. Bruce Rauner's office after a leaders meeting on the final day of the spring legislative session at the state Capitol, Tuesday, May 31, 2016, in Springfield, Ill. (Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register via AP) NO SALES, MANDATORY CREDIT The Associated Press
Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, and House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, hold a press conference outside Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner's office after a leaders meeting on the final day of the spring legislative session at the state Capitol, Tuesday, May 31, 2016, in Springfield, Ill.(Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register via AP) NO SALES, MANDATORY CREDIT The Associated Press
Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, and House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, hold a press conference outside Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner's office after a leaders meeting on the final day of the spring legislative session at the state Capitol, Tuesday, May 31, 2016, in Springfield, Ill. (Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register via AP) The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.