By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – While it was disappointing legislators couldn’t find a new budget agreement during the veto session, State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) said the one positive was the legislation saving the Clinton and Quad Cities nuclear plants.

Barickman told WJBC’s Dan Swaney there was “real concern” over what closing those plants would have done.

“That was a bright moment, a positive moment, it what has otherwise been a legislative cycle full of disappointments, to be frank,” he said.

Barickman explained something needed to be done to assist nuclear plants in order to help them compete with other forms of power around the state.

He added the path towards a new budget deal for Illinois could be through the state senate. That’s because, according to Barickman, perhaps Senate President John Cullerton has more desire to negotiate with Republicans than the house speaker.

“I’ve had some conversations with some of our legislators on the other side of the isle where we’re talking about these things,” said Barickman. “There is some meaningful progress behind the scenes.”

Barickman was hopeful something positive will get done during the lame duck session in January.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].