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Illinois House Democrats Pass Budget Plan

  A potential new state budget barely passed the Illinois House last night,  but Gov. Bruce Rauner is already signaling a veto.

The Republican says the budget spends $7 billion more than the state takes in.

But Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie -- one of the top Democrats -- says that, with less than a week left until the end of the legislative session, the spending plan is like insurance.

"It is not possible for us to walk away from this chamber without having offered some security to the people of the state of Illinois that there will be a budget, that we can govern the state, and that vulnerable populations will find that their needs can be met," she said.

The package calls for a significant increase in how much Illinois spends on education --- especially for poor districts and Chicago Public Schools.

It does not include funding for social service agencies that have been getting money via court order, based on the expectation that process will continue.

Illinois Senators will have to vote on the package next.

Rauner says he's open to a tax hike that could help balance the budget, but only if he gets his way on a controversial agenda that strips unions of collective bargaining rights and helps businesses save money.

Illinois has operated without a budget since last July 1 after Rauner vetoed an out-of-balance spending plan. He demanded union-weakening changes and other proposals in exchange for signing off on a tax increase to help close a budget deficit.

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