House Overrides Rauner's Vetoes, Taxes Going Up in Illinois

Illinois House members voted Thursday to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s vetoes of a state budget and tax increase, the final steps needed to end Illinois’ two-year budget deadlock.

The votes came with a bit of drama as the House was forced to delay session for more than two hours after a woman in the Capitol threw a powdery substance into the governor’s office and other locations, prompting hazardous materials teams from the Springfield Fire Department to lock down the building to investigate. The powder turned out to be harmless, officials said.

The House vote came despite Rauner earlier urging House members to not approve the deal.

The two-year budget deadlock has left Illinois with a $6.2 billion annual deficit and $14.7 billion in overdue bills.