It's almost crunch time in the Illinois General Assembly.
Gov. Bruce Rauner has called lawmakers back to Springfield for a 10-day special session to come up with a budget. The session will begin on Wednesday.
Rauner released both an official statement and a video on Facebook after issuing 10 proclamations that called lawmakers back to Springfield.
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"The House and Senate Republicans have a compromise, balanced budget plan to end the impasse," Rauner posted. "It includes property tax relief, job creation, term limits and spending caps. Today we’re calling lawmakers back to Springfield for a continuous special session that will start next week and stay in effect until a balanced budget is passed."
Reps. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), Patti Bellock (R-Hinsdale) and Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) and Sens. Karen McConnaughay (R-St. Charles), Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) and Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) have presented a budget plan based in part on a plan passed by Democrats in the Senate and including other items from previous negotiations.
The GOP proposal includes spending cuts, term limits, a four-year property tax freeze and a $250 million increase in school funding.
If lawmakers do not pass a budget before July 1, the start of fiscal year 2018, it will be the third year in a row. The state could see further decreases in its credit rating as well as losing the Powerball and Mega Millions lottery games, according to reports.
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