There’s plenty of frustration and finger pointing to go around as the Spring Legislative Session came to an end on Wednesday without a full state budget. The state sits with more than 14 billion dollars in unpaid bills, social service agencies and colleges struggling to stay afloat and state programs are at risk. Governor Bruce Rauner calls the legislature’s inaction a dereliction of duty and a tragic failure.
Democrats say the Governor is holding the budget hostage over his demands and that they have passed some of his reforms. Senate President John Cullerton says he feels they did their part to work with Republicans and the Governor, but Republicans did not hold up their end of the bargain.
The next deadline is June 30th, the last day of the current fiscal year, although it will now take more votes to get anything passed.