The next Illinois governor is telling state agencies to prepare for budget cuts.
Republican Bruce Rauner is scheduled to be sworn in next month. That’s also when the state’s income tax is scheduled to drop - meaning less revenue. Rauner says he’s been meeting with the department heads who will present recommended cuts.
"We’ve had a budget that has been passed and is managed to that is nowhere near balanced. And we hope and believe that the department heads should be planning and preparing for a budget that actually is balanced."
Lawmakers are scheduled to return to Springfield this week for what might be their final meetings before Rauner is sworn in. They’re not expected to vote on the income tax rate.
Rauner also has advice for the President on immigration amid Obama's visit to Chicago. He says the President should work with Congress on an immigration plan.
"The right way to do it is to have it done on a bipartisan basis with legislation, not with executive order. And I hope that the president will focus in Congress and that the issue will be brought up and debated."
Rauner says he spoke with members of the Illinois delegation, some of whom are concerned about the president’s action.
