SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Latest on Illinois legislative budget negotiations (all times local):
5:45 p.m.
Republicans cut short an attempt by Illinois Senate Democrats to recharge the “grand bargain” budget compromise with time running out on the legislative session.
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The grand bargain is a package of legislation Senate leaders designed last winter to break what has become a two-year logjam on an annual spending plan.
But sticking points continue to be GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner’s demands for restrictions on workers’ compensation payouts and a permanent property tax freeze for homeowners.
Democratic Senate President John Cullerton of Chicago tried to call workers’ comp and tax-freeze legislation Rauner won’t accept. Republican Leader Chrstine Radogno (ruh-DOHN’-yoh) of Lemont (lih-MAHNT) declined to let her bills go up for a vote.
Cullerton says he can’t compromise on the bills further. Radogno says he has to and that the two sides are “very close.”
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4:30 p.m.
The Illinois Senate is plunging back into the “grand bargain” budget compromise with three weeks remaining in the legislative session.
The Senate voted 35-15 to give local governments flexibility on paying debts. It’s one of the few measures with bipartisan support in a package that’s supposed to help break a logjam on a state budget deal.
Chicago Democratic President John Cullerton wanted to call others, but Republican Leader Christine Radogno of Lemont said they weren’t ready.
The state has gone two years without a budget. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and legislative Democrats have tussled over a tax increase to battle a deficit while Rauner demands regulatory changes such as restrictions on workers’ compensation payouts and a freeze on local property taxes.
Radogno declined to call votes on the property tax freeze or workers’ comp.
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The bill is SB10
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