Lawmakers only have two days to pass a budget before a pending deadline. But even as top leaders came out of a meeting Sunday saying that a deal is “possible,” it was clear the chances are woefully slim.
Gov. Bruce Rauner has danced around it before. But this time, he didn't flinch. He says if it gets to his desk, he will reject in its entirety the only spending plan currently alive in the statehouse: a plan House Democrats approved last week.
"That's the bill that has a $7 billion implied deficit in it,” he said. “I will veto that bill."
Rauner has the option of only vetoing parts of it. Not using that tool sets up a new, election season blame game of who is at fault for potentially withholding state money from schools.
The governor's already accusing Democrats -- primarily House Speaker Michael Madigan -- of holding schools "hostage." That's the same word Madigan uses to defend the very same bill.
House Speaker Michael Madigan defends the plan.
"The House budget does not hold hostage those that want an education, does not hold hostage those that want healthcare, does not hold hostage the vulnerable in our society," he said.
Madigan says Democrats worked throughout the weekend and says they'll continue to negotiate through Tuesday. In the same breath, his remarks made obvious a deal isn't likely. He says lawmakers are prepared to be in "continuous session" this summer.
With time running short, Rauner continued to press for a bargain that pairs a budget with his controversial agenda that's at the heart of the stalemate.
"I'm going to stay hopeful,” he said. “and I'm here all day, every day. I want to try to get a grand compromise. Come together on a bipartisan basis to get something done by Tuesday at midnight, and that's really our focus."
