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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Agenda Talks Begin For State Lawmakers

Flickr user Jim Bowen / "Illinois State Capitol" (CC BY 2.0)

Legislators have begun to discuss Gov. Bruce Rauner's agenda.

They split into seven so-called working groups. Members of both parties and chambers will meet with aides from the governor's office to talk about issues like workers' compensation, limits on torts, and taxes.

"Our goal for the whole process, to get the restructuring agenda passed is May 31,” Rauner said. “We're going to push hard to get it done by May 31. I've heard chatter that it may take longer. Given how long it took 2015 budget fix to happen, it may take longer than I'd like. But we're going to try to get it done by May 31."

But that's just over a month away, and no actual legislation has been introduced. Rauner, a Republican, says he hopes to do that in the next "few weeks."

The governor says he previously shared drafts of his proposals with the General Assembly's Republican leaders, who gave their feedback. Now, he says he's bringing in Democrats with the working groups.

Democrats hold supermajorities in both the House and Senate.

Amanda Vinicky moved to Chicago Tonight on WTTW-TV PBS in 2017.
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