SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – The first day of a costly special legislative session aimed at solving Illinois’ unprecedented budget crisis got off to a slow start with both the House and Senate adjourning quickly Wednesday without making any substantive progress.
Instead, Democrats and Republicans used news conferences and floor speeches to say they were ready to compromise and blame the other party for the gridlock that could stretch into a third year if lawmakers don’t approve a budget by July 1.
Republicans touted their own budget, which caps spending at $36 billion and includes reforms GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner wants such as term limits and government consolidation, along with a temporary income tax increase. But House Republican Leader Jim Durkin brushed aside questions raised by House Democrats.
“When Democrats claim that our budget isn’t balanced, it means we’re doing our job,” Durkin told reporters. “Because they couldn’t balance their way out of a wet paper bag and they haven’t for their time down here.”
Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan told reporters his chamber was ready to answer the governor’s special session call, and work on a budget with anyone who wanted to compromise. But he later issued a statement saying his chamber would spend the next two days hearing testimony about how some of the governor’s proposed reforms would hurt the middle class, including workers’ compensation and a property tax freeze. A House committee heard tearful testimony Wednesday from nonprofits who help domestic violence victims.