When Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner was sworn in as governor - he faced an immediate budget problem.
Programs like those that fund child daycare were running out of money - because lawmakers passed a budget that accounted for a higher income tax rate.
Rauner says he’s close to an agreed spending plan with Democratic leaders for the next few months.
“Everybody’s watching sausage be made. This is not, it’s not a pretty picture. The sausage will actually taste good in the end, but it’s kinda nasty and ugly and a little smelly in the process.”
Rauner wants the legislature to grant him the authority to fill the $1.6 billion hole.
Something that Senate President John Cullerton is opposed to.
Rauner hedged - when asked about that.
“I’m not going to describe specific positions or statements to anybody. We’re just working through the process.”
When asked what his timeline is to reach an agreed upon solution to balance the budget - Rauner said, “yesterday.”