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Gov. Rauner and Legislative Leaders Meet

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Chicago Magazine
Gov.. Bruce Rauner (left) and House Speaker Mike Madigan (right)

For the first time since summer ... Governor Bruce Rauner and the legislature's four top leaders got together Tuesday. 
They're set to do it again Wednesday.

Tuesday's meeting didn't last long. Roughly a half an hour.

The tenor, according to House Speaker Michael Madigan: "I think it was very respectful."

But here's Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno. "We listened to the Speaker's comments and we're frankly confused by them."

Here's the confusion. Or the dispute, anyway.

Madigan says he wants to bring other legislators into negotiations. Madigan wants to use the same recipe that led to the stopgap's passage.
 
"My suggestion: follow the framework from the seven successful budgets that we've done under Gov. Rauner, follow that framework, and we'll be able to come to an agreement on an eighth budget to finish off the remainder of this fiscal year."

Republicans say it's time for the top leaders alone to get serious about a deal.

Democrats want a budget -- straight up; the GOP wants a grand bargain -- pairing spending, new revenue, and with Rauner's controversial pro-business, anti-union platform.

Illinois' temporary spending plan expires at the end of next month.

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