Gov. Bruce Rauner is expressing frustration at the lack of progress in Illinois budget negotiations with Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan and says his efforts to set up a one-on-one meeting have gone nowhere.
The Republican governor on Wednesday accused Madigan and fellow Democrats of "playing games" by purposefully stalling on talks so they can argue for "a huge tax hike."
Madigan spokesman Steve Brown says Rauner's responsible for the gridlock for vetoing the budget lawmakers passed last year.
Illinois hasn't had a budget since July 1 due to a clash between Rauner and Democrats who control the Legislature. The impasse has led to cuts in social service programs and forced higher education institutions to lay off staff and, in the case of Chicago State University, to consider closing altogether.
