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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Rauner, Madigan Blame Each Other For Illinois Budget Impasse

Brian Mackey
/
Illinois Public Radio

Accusations continue to swirl at the statehouse over who is at fault for the budget impasse. Gov. Bruce Rauner says House Speaker Madigan is the problem. 

Rauner, a Republican, accuses Madigan of wanting a government shutdown.

"I think the Speaker wants pressure, wants an impact now, before he'll do the right thing,” Rauner said. “He knows what should happen. Many members of his caucus know we should compromise and work this out. But they want an impact, they want people hit by these lack of a budget before they'll take action."

But Madigan says the governor could have avoided Illinois' current situation. Rauner vetoed the budget legislators sent him, saying it was out of balance.

Madigan says the governor could have signed it into law, then used his executive authority to manage spending. 

"He seems to forget that the legislature sent him a spending plan that would have helped and protected middle class families ... he chose not to do that," Madigan said.

Democrats in the General Assembly have sent the governor a stop-gap budget that would cover what they say are "essential" services for July. Rauner has yet to act on it, but he says temporary plans are not the solution.

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