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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Rauner Vows To Extend Special Session Until Lawmakers 'Get The Job Done'

Carl Nelson
/
WNIJ

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner says if legislators fail to send him a budget by Friday, he'll extend a legislative special session until they “get the job done.''

A statewide property tax freeze demanded by Rauner as part of a deal to end the budget stalemate failed in the House during the eighth day of the special session.

It would have created a four-year freeze on the nation's next-to-highest property taxes. It would have exempted Chicago, the city's school system and 17 other financially distressed school districts.

It also would have exempted many cities' payments on long-term debt and their contributions to police and fire pension systems.

Several dueling budget plans are before the Democrat-controlled House and Senate, along with proposals for pro-business reforms that Rauner has demanded.

Rauner called lawmakers back to Springfield last week after they blew past a critical budget deadline last month. Now any budget deal will require a three-fifths majority vote instead of a simple majority.

The new fiscal year starts Saturday. If legislators fail to reach an agreement before then, Illinois will enter a third straight year without a spending plan.