Illinois

Gov. Rauner Addresses Illinois Day Before Special Session

In an unprecedented move, Gov. Bruce Rauner made a personal address to the people of Illinois Tuesday, one day before he called lawmakers to Springfield for a special session.

The governor called Illinois lawmakers back to Springfield for a 10-day special session set to begin Wednesday as the state’s two-year budget impasse continues.

"Republicans in the General Assembly have laid out a compromise budget plan that I can sign,” Rauner said in a video announcing the special session, noting, "It is a true compromise – and one I hope the majority in the General Assembly will accept.”

Illinois has been without a budget for two years, and if a deal isn’t reached by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, then lawmakers are predicting massive cuts and potential shutdowns to help deal with the financial shortfall.

The Multi-State Lottery Association this week said it would drop Illinois at the end of the month if there is no state budget agreement, according to a report. The association, which runs Mega Millions and Powerball, said in internal Illinois Lottery communications it would drop the games in the current state climate.

Chicago Public Schools has also turned to JPMorgan Chase for a $275 million loan to keep operating through June and make a contribution to teacher pensions. CPS finance chief Ron DeNard said Illinois school districts have suffered as the budget impasse resulted in a failure to provide education funding in a timely manner.

A Rauner spokesman placed the blame for Chicago school's need to borrow on mismanagement.

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