By John O’Connor and Kiannah Sepeda-Miller, Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Senate has moved forward on pieces of a budget compromise. But the tough votes are scheduled for Wednesday.
The Senate approved non-contentious parts of what’s called the “grand bargain” on Tuesday. It’s an effort to find a breakthrough on a two-year stalemate between Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Legislature.
The Republican governor won’t agree to a tax increase to tackle a multibillion-dollar deficit without regulatory changes to strengthen business and weaken unions.
Democrats control the Senate and provided most of the votes Tuesday to approve plans to streamline state purchasing, expand casino gambling and more. But Senate President John Cullerton’s pension overhaul failed.
He says he’ll tweak that measure for a future revote and is confident that tough votes Wednesday on an income tax increase and a local property tax freeze will prevail.
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
