SPRINGFIELD, IL - Democrats in the Illinois Legislature on Thursday are expected to continue to advance the remaining pieces of a $36.3 billion budget proposal that Republicans are criticizing as unbalanced.
Among the outstanding parts is a component of a school funding plan, where Democrats say they plan to increase education spending by at least $240 million.
House Speaker Michael Madigan says Democrats are looking to Gov. Bruce Rauner to help them pass a tax increase to make up the more than $3 billion difference. But Republican governor says he wants some of his legislative agenda approved first.
A Senate committee could vote on proposals addressing changes to the civil legal system and a freeze on properties taxes Thursday. A Rauner-backed proposal on workers' compensation reform was voted down Wednesday.