Governor Bruce Rauner and legislative leaders met for the first time on the state budget Thursday morning. The group agreed to settle on a revenue estimate for the new fiscal year, so they have a base to work from when building a new budget. That figures has often been a point of contention in previous years. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin says they also want to make it clear they need to rein in spending.
Senate President John Cullerton spoke after the meeting and says they also discussed the need for more money to get the state thru this fiscal year.
Democrats also added they don’t want to see severe cuts to programs for the state’s most vulnerable residents and they also asked the Governor to support gun control legislation during the meeting as well.