By Dave Dahl/Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – “I will not call a special session.” – Gov. Bruce Rauner.
The governor used the backyard of the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield to lay out for reporters his expectations for the summer.
“Special sessions cost taxpayers more money,” Rauner continued, referring to one estimate of $22,000 per day but routinely reported in Springfield media as $40,000. “What I will do is ask members of the legislature who are designated to be negotiators in the process to meet at whatever location they prefer.”
The governor, repeating he’ll know there’s a deal by Sunday’s scheduled adjournment when he sees it, refused to sign an unbalanced budget. He has also asked for pro-business “Turnaround Agenda” points such as the waiver of prevailing wage, workers’ compensation changes, and tort reform. Three of the four legislative leaders said everything is on the table, even though all of the agenda has either failed in committee or simply was never called.
The governor evaded questions about what he would do if he did not get an acceptable resolution by Sunday night, and about a recent report that his secretary of education, Beth Purvis, is being paid out of the Department of Human Services budget.
