Dems, Rauner Come to Short-Term Agreement

According to the State Journal-Register, Illinois lawmakers began voting Thursday on a stopgap spending deal that would ensure schools open in August and fund state services for the next six months.

After days of negotiations, lawmakers said Wednesday that Democratic leaders and Republican Bruce Rauner had crafted a plan. The votes came Thursday on the last day of the fiscal year.

The deal would bring certainty to schools and relief to cash-strapped colleges and social service providers. But it also means the state will enter a second fiscal year without a full spending plan in place, setting up a high-stakes November election that will influence budget discussions.

The agreement also provides Chicago some relief on pension payments for teachers, an idea Rauner had resisted until Democratic lawmakers agreed to lower the amount they wanted.


Information provided by the State Journal-Register