Dem Leaders A No-Show At Gov. Rauner's Legislative Summit
(CBS) -- The election could also have a big impact on Illinois and the budget here.
Trouble is, two of the top legislative leaders didn't show up to a meeting Monday to move forward.
CBS 2 Political Reporter Derrick Blakley reports.
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner discovered that invitations to a Springfield sit-down can be like invitations to the prom. It takes two partners to dance.
"It is completely inexcusable for the Democrats not to be here," Illinois Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno said.
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan didn't show up, saying yesterday, he "determined a schedule conflict" would prevent him from attending.
"I can't imagine what conflict is more important than the challenges facing the people of this state," Radogno said.
On Facebook, former GOP state party chairman Pat Brady speculated in ridicule on what Madigan's conflict could be: "Golf? Haircut? Big Tax Appeal?"
Also, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, said he bowed out because Madigan wasn't there.
In last week's election, Republicans gained four House seats, wiping out Madigan's veto-proof majority.
"I know their rank-and-file members in the House desperately are seeking a balanced budget to be completed," House Minority Leader James Durkin said.
A stopgap state budget runs out at the end of the year, with the state's growing stack of unpaid bills now amounting to more than $9 billion.
