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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Senate Frustrated By Rauner Agencies' Budget-Cut Silence

"Wheelchair" by Flickr User zeevveez / (CC X 2.0)

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration is frustrating state senators by refusing to answer questions about where agencies could tighten their belts.

Several Senate committees grilled agency directors Tuesday about spending cuts to deal with a multibillion-dollar deficit. The Democratic-controlled committees teamed up to put Rauner on the spot.  They blame him for scuttling the Senate's negotiated budget compromise last week.  

The state schools superintendent, the Human Services secretary and director of juvenile justice and more told lawmakers they could not answer the question.

Democratic Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant heads the education committee. She says the Senate needs help deciding on cuts if Rauner opposes the ``grand bargain'' vote called off last week.  Democrats say Rauner's opposition persuaded GOP senators to back off.

A Rauner spokeswoman did not immediately comment.

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