By Eric Stock
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Senate President John Cullerton is taking heat for suggesting Gov. Bruce Rauner’s ‘mental state’ is why he won’t accept – as is – the education funding bill that lawmakers passed in May.
“It’s because of the mental state of the governor. It’s been the fact, as I said, he’s really had a bad month,” Cullerton said, adding Rauner has refused to meet with him to discuss the bill.
“The Illinois Division of Mental Health works every day to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness,” Director Diana Knaebe said. “For a political leader to perpetuate this stigma to score political points is completely inappropriate and we respectfully request that our leaders stop doing so.”
Cullerton said he will send Rauner Senate Bill 1 on Monday.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].