After the bill’s passage, Durkin said in a statement that Chicago Police have made it clear that the increase in gun violence is from gang members who are getting guns illegally through straw purchases.
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Leaders from both parties met with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on Monday in another attempt at compromise, exiting his office to deliver remarks that all but guaranteed they won’t find agreement before they adjourn their spring session Tuesday night. Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton told reporters following the leaders meeting that they talked with the Governor about his “Bridge” budget proposal.
After session is over Tuesday, it will be 365 days without a state budget. Schools were then largely spared the consequences of the budget impasse because Rauner approved their funding. That was the equivalent of waving a white flag. The new proposal, sponsored by state Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), would extend the program to July 2020. Republicans scoffed at the Madigan’s suggestion: “For them to suggest it can’t be done today is laughable”. The bill passed the Senate in April and is now being considered in the House. He’d rather see Rauner sweat political bullets.
So not even a stopgap any time soon.
Today Governor Rauner reversed course and asked lawmakers to send him a short-term spending plan. “This is just another example of why people are so frustrated by politicians who are protecting the systems they put in place instead of working to improve the quality of life for IL families”.
IL has been operating without a budget for 11 months.
It appears the plan for a short-term budget fix in IL, is dead. And you’ve done nothing to fix it. He wants the budget working groups to take a while before they make any moves. It would temporary keep schools open for the fall and partially allows the state to keep its lights on. The Senate bill would add almost a billion dollars to schools at a time when the state is running a massive deficit. “They are driving the crisis in order to force a tax increase on the people of IL without any reforms”.
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Sadly, I suspect that’s the ride on which many voters expect to be taken in IL. Don’t try anything different, just tax and spend.
