McHenry Times

Gov. Bruce Rauner plans to meet Wednesday in Springfield with the four legislative leaders in effort to end budget impasse, state Sen. Karen McConnaughay (R-33rd) said.

The budget impasse continues in Springfield, but Rauner hopes to find common ground with the four legislative leaders.

Rauner plans to have a pool camera at the meeting to stream video to the media. After explaining the format of the meeting, Rauner and the four leaders will have 10 minutes each to speak. Negotiations then will go private, with no cameras. 

“The people of Illinois deserve to hear our negotiating positions in a dignified and respectful manner — uninterrupted and unfiltered,” Rauner said. “At the same time, I acknowledge the bipartisan concerns we’ve received about allowing this meeting to become political theater rather than constructive negotiation.”

Illinois Republicans are seeking a balanced budget and pro-jobs reforms. Illinois business climate is considered unfriendly, and the legislators hope to turn that perception and the financial climate around, with reforms in workers compensation and term limits for elected officials.