Rauner: Special session a ‘waste of time’ so far

Bruce Rauner
Gov. Bruce Rauner delivered an address from the Old State Capitol in Springfield before lawmakers returned to Springfield for a special session. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Bruce Rauner)

By Eric Stock

SPRINGFIELD – The third day of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s special session is Friday, but it’s still unclear if there will be any movement on a budget.

Rauner told WJBC’s Patti Penn the first two days of the session have been a ‘waste of time.’

“Unfortunately, so far the majority that controls General Assembly, they have done nothing in this special session, they have wasted the first two days,” Rauner said. “We are going to stay on them. We’ve got to get a balanced budget.”

There was an hours-long hearing in the House focused on workers’ compensation reforms on day two, but no movement on a budget. A House hearing on a proposed property tax freeze is expected on Friday.

“Unfortunately, it’s been a waste of time,” Rauner said. “This is a showing of bad faith on the part of the majority. They seem to just rather have no budget and have chaos.”

Rauner was asked when he last met with House Speaker Mike Madigan. The governor said their staffs have been meeting almost daily.

Lawmakers have until the end of the month to pass a balanced budget.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
Illinois Radio Network contributed to this report.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…