Rauner, legislative leaders continue budget stalemate

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton said Wednesday that he would like to hit the reset button and ask the governor to submit a new budget proposal to end the budget stalemate.

"We are essentially back to square one," Cullerton said during a news conference.

About 40 percent of government operations, including some social service program, could be in jeopardy if the budget crisis continues. The Legislature will return to Springfield next week. So far, there are no scheduled meetings between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic General Assembly leaders.

On Wednesday, Cullerton repeated the Democratic party line: Rauner should submit a balanced spending plan for the state and drop his demand for pro-business reforms:

"So rather than fight over proposals that aren't going anywhere I'd like to suggest that we hit the "reset" button and start over," he said.

Neither Rauner nor the Democrats who control the General Assembly have presented a balanced spending plan to account for a projected $4 billion revenue shortfall. The governor said no tax increase until lawmakers pass term limits and redistricting reform, a property tax freeze, workers compensation and lawsuit reform.

"What we need is honest to goodness engagement from the Democrats on the reform issues," said State Sen. Christine Radogno, the Republican minority leader.

"We're willing to work with him on those other items but the budget is the No. 1 priority," Cullerton said.

A Rauner spokesman said in a statement Wednesday: "Rather than moving our state backward to the failed tax and spend policies of the past, we urge President Cullerton to work with us to pass meaningful structural reforms to change the fiscal trajectory of our state."

On Tuesday, the governor criticized lawmakers for accepting a pay increase during the stalemate.

"This is so symptomatic, such a symbol of what's wrong with our government," Rauner said.

"Rather than addressing the No. 1 issue facing the state of Illinois, which is the budget deficit, he spends time creating diversionary issues," said House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Cullerton said the newly-elected, political neophyte does not understand Illinois government:

"This is a super majority of Democrats and a bunch of pro-union Republicans in this state," Cullerton said. "This isn't Oklahoma or Kansas."