No New State Budget As Legislative Session Winds Down
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WBBM) -- In Springfield, the clock is ticking towards the end of the spring legislative session.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Regine Schlesinger reports, some things are getting done, but, the big one – a new state budget – so far, is not.
LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Regine Schlesinger reports
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There is still no agreement on how to close the gap between the falling revenues in Illinois and surging costs.
Gov. Pat Quinn wants to spend more money on certain key programs, and borrow billions for the state's backlog of unpaid bills.
The state House and Senate each have passed different versions with about $2 billion difference between the governor's plan and the House version.
Among issues that have been decided is a bill on Quinn's desk which would keep Illinois residents from owning a gun if they are under a restraining order or have been convicted of domestic violence.
Lawmakers have shelved a bill that would have allowed ComEd to increase electricity rates automatically without the approval of state regulators.
The Illinois General Assembly faces a May 31 deadline for any bills to pass with just a simple majority.
