Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner indicated on Monday that he was willing to bargain with the Democratic majority legislature to solve the budget impasse.
The governor called for three policy changes to make it easier to offset the out-of-balance budget favored by the legislature. He asked for a business-friendly modification to the workers' compensation rules that would reduce the insurance costs to businesses. He also asked for concessions that would allow local governments to negotiate with their unions.
Finally, Rauner asked for pension reform. He indicated that he was willing to work with State Senate President John Cullerton's (D-District 6) version of pension reform, which would allow workers to voluntarily change their pension benefits.
Despite Rauner's overtures to the legislature and his willingness to approve a reasonable tax increase, Cullerton and House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-District 22) have not returned to Springfield to hammer out a budget deal. While Madigan announced that the lawmakers would meet on Wednesdays to negotiate a budget deal, the first three workshops were cancelled.
The state constitution mandates a balanced budget that must be passed and implemented by July 1. The state is rapidly approaching its second year without a budget. Court orders have forced the state to continue funding Medicaid and paying state workers. Education, social services and other services are not included in the court orders and have not been funded for the coming year.
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