It's less than two weeks before the March primary election. Illinois lawmakers want to show voters they are working to resolve the state's financial issues. The House recessed Thursday until early next month.
Democrats and Republicans left the capitol for the month with no bipartisan agreement on the budget.
But before they did, Republicans called for staying in session to keep working -- though only for one more day.
Republicans like Representative Tom Demmer of Dixon made a show of trying to keep the House in session -- even for just a half day longer.
"I'm asking the House stand adjourned until tomorrow at 12 noon. If you vote yes, you're voting to keep working. If you vote no, you're voting to leave for more than a month."
Democrats--who control the House-- overruled them.
Steve Brown is the spokesman for Speaker Michael Madigan. He says it was a ploy to help GOP representatives in the primary.
"We know they're trying to cover up some of the people who are involved in difficult elections. But, we're ready to have agreements when we can get agreements."
The lack of progress on a budget could also hurt Democrats running for re-election.