Illinois nears the end of August, and there's still no state budget in place. But House members will return to Springfield today.
The Illinois House controls the fate of a measure that's not a budget bill, per say, but which Gov. Bruce Rauner says could have major financial ramifications for the state.
It'd prevent his ability to lock out state workers -- something he's said he won't do -- as well as forbid employees from striking. Instead, an arbitrator would settle an impasse if Rauner and the AFSCME union can't agree to a new contract.
Rauner rejected it, but the Senate overrode his veto. The House has about a week left if it's to do the same.
House Speaker Michael Madigan says it won't be today, but signaled it'll happen.
"We're very confident that we will override the governor," Madigan said.
Madigan dismisses Rauner's claims the arbitrator will cost the state money by taking the unions' side.
