For the second time in 20-16 ... Governor Bruce Rauner met with the General Assembly's four top leaders.
The legislative session is set to adjourn at the end of the month. Still ... both this and next year's budgets remain unfinished.
Senate President John Cullerton says he’s pleased that in the meeting, Rauner has agreed to raising taxes to balance the budget. And House Republican Leader Jim Durkin called it a "very good meeting."
"I'm pleased to say that after many, many months of objection by the Speaker to address any type of reform, the Speaker had indicated he will open negotiations on collective bargaining, local governments, pension reform and also workmens' compensation reform. Those are the key to breaking the impasse."
But the Senate's top Republican -- Christine Radogno – was more cautious.
And in a statement after the meeting ... Speaker Madigan criticized the governor for continuing to insist on passage of his legislative agenda before he’ll agree to a spending plan. Madigan says Rauner’s refusal to work on the budget has had dreadful consequences.
