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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Rauner Publicly Hammers Lawmakers For Cancelling Today's Legislative Session

FLICKR User Jim Bowen

Governor Bruce Rauner continues to publicly hammer lawmakers for canceling today's session in Springfield.

It's kicked off the latest round of a war of words between the state's top political leaders, as Illinois remains without a budget.

Rauner says House Speaker Michael Madigan reneged on his commitment to hold session every Wednesday this month.

"They should be here virtually every day, every day of the week. I'm here, workin'. They should be here, workin',” Rauner said.

Rauner held a news conference criticizing Democrats for stalling a deal on a budget and other matters.

But Senate President John Cullerton says they're not "slow-walking" anything. Cullerton says Rauner's attacks aren't helping, though.

"The governor is blasting us while we're supposed to be cooperating with him in a bipartisan way to do what he asked us to do, after I initially suggested it, by the way,” Cullerton said.

Cullerton also says it doesn't make sense for the full legislature to meet in Springfield until there's a deal to vote on.

Amanda Vinicky moved to Chicago Tonight on WTTW-TV PBS in 2017.
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