Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner says he’s optimistic Democrats and Republicans can reach a big compromise on a budget deal. But time is running out before a big deadline at the end of the month.
The state’s now gone 10 and a half months without a budget. Court orders kept the much of the government’s lights on. Governor Rauner says he’ll be negotiating this week but he doesn’t expect a deal until the last second on May 31st.
That’s because starting June 1st - procedures change and it takes more Yes votes to pass a budget.
"You know, the frustration level gets really high. You know, we’re all human bein’s. I’ve certainly been frustrated. I mean, you can let your emotions out sometimes at the wrong time. We’re all human. We’re all trying to do the best we can," Rauner said.
When Rauner first took office, he repeatedly said balancing a budget was easy, it’s getting reforms passed that’s hard. Today, Rauner said politics is not tiddlywinks.