Illinois' new governor and legislative leaders are figuring out how to deal with shortfalls in this year's budget.
Money is already running out in programs like subsidized day care for low-income parents, although the budget is supposed to run through June.
Governor Bruce Rauner during his budget address Wednesday called it a crisis and says a deal is near.
Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan likewise said one was days away.
"There's been some very good, fruitful discussions over one or two weeks. Obviously it's a very difficult manner because you're talking partly in terms of reducing the level of services."
Madigan says there's also an opportunity for the governor to take about 600 million dollars of funds meant for one purpose, and use them to shore up the needy areas.
That's apparently the cause of a holdup in a deal. It seems the governor wants flexible power to be able to move around the money on his own - while some Democratic legislators want to pass a law directing the funds - that would give them greater control.
