Governor Bruce Rauner spent most of Wednesday in southern Illinois, with stops at Rend Lake College, Mt. Vernon, Marion and Murphysboro.
During his stop in Marion, the governor met with a small group of community and business leaders, as well as municipal officer holders to talk about his agenda to turn Illinois around.
The ongoing budget stalemate was on everyone's mind. Rauner told the group he doesn't see any movement on a new spending plan until 2016.
"Right now it takes a super-majority vote in the General Assembly to pass any financial bill to have an immediate impact, it takes a super-majority. After January 1, it only takes a simple majority. So, my guess is, my understanding listening to the General Assembly leaders talk, they're not going to take any tough votes on taxes or reforms until after January 1."
Rauner said he wants the state's tax priorities to flow toward education and infrastructure.
He told municipal government leaders that the money being withheld from them now - including money from the Motor Fuels Tax - will be restored as soon as a new budget is approved.
Human service agencies are among those suffering the brunt of the ongoing Illinois budget stalemate.
Centerstone CEO John Markley was among a small group of people who met with Governor Rauner in Marion. Markley told the governor people suffering from mental illness are literally dying because agencies like his don't have the necessary funds to support them.
"We meet people in crisis, and we meet people in emergency rooms, we meet people in the jails. There are just not going to be any options for those people and it's going to lead to some other very drastic things I think."
Rauner assured him he is aware of the needs of the state's most vulnerable residents. He said his administration is addressing those issues the best it can.
"What we have done is create a SWAT team to help work with cities, counties, emergency personnel, childcare providers, healthcare providers, to come up with ways where they can get the cash they need to keep providing the service while we don't have a budget."
College students and administrators gathered at the capitol Tuesday to remind lawmakers that the budget impasse is hurting their campuses.
Governor Rauner is scheduled to meet with the state's public university presidents Thursday. Rauner said his message to the university leaders will be for them to shrink their overhead spending, and also to work together cooperatively around the state.
"Because not every university around the state should try to be outstanding at every subject to the degree we want to serve the people of Illinois. Maybe certain campuses or schools should be great at accounting and welding. I'm picking two things. And other schools should be outstanding at business administration and nursing."
Public higher education institutions in Illinois are not receiving any state funding during the budget impasse.
Gov. Rauner has recommended a 31 percent across-the-board cut for higher education, if and when a budget is passed.
Rauner drew the ire of union members across the state when he talked about a right to work proposal. Those union members reminded him of their opposition to his proposal as he left the Marion Civic Center with boos and jeers.
AFSCME union representative Jeremy Noelle said they wanted inside the governor's meeting with local leaders, but were turned away. He said unions are curious about what the governor is saying.
"We're just wanting to see what his new message is, if there is a new message. It's the same old bust the unions message and we're seeing if he might come with something different."
Rauner said he is not out to bust the unions, in fact, the governor said he is no longer pushing the union measure with the General Assembly.
"There is no bill for right to work that is part of our legislation. We've pushed six bills, right to work is not part of it. The folks who are pushing that issue are just trying to create a smokescreen of opposition."
State Senator Gary Forby was outside with the union protesters. He said he is unaware of the governor's change of heart on right to work.
"Maybe he just changed his mind today. I don't think he changed his mind yesterday or the day before. Maybe today he changed his mind, but let's see where it goes."
Forby said the governor needs to put his Turnaround Agenda on the backburner until a budget deal is reached, then lawmakers might take up his proposals once again.
