Illinois Democrats say their party is strong and more energized than ever, thanks to Republican Governor Bruce Rauner.
The day after Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner accused them of holding up progress, hundreds of Democrats packed into a ballroom rose to their feet and clapped when Senate President John Cullerton said this:
"We are willing to work with Gov. Rauner, but we don't work for Gov. Rauner, okay?"
Illinois has been without a budget since the start of June, as Rauner and the legislature's Democratic supermajorities face off in what House Speaker Michael Madigan called an "epic struggle."
"Illinois has a republican governor who thinks that the Illinois budget-making should be used and leveraged to bring down the wage rates all across the state, and to bring down the standard of living for middle class families," Madigan said.
During the GOP's rally at the fair a day earlier, Rauner said Madigan has "ice water" in his veins.
