By Will Stevenson/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) wonders what will happen at the second meeting in as many weeks between Gov. Bruce Rauner and top legislative leaders.

“I’m of the opinion that they ought to be meeting every day, until this gets settled,” said Manar.

Nevertheless, Manar said he sees the meeting in Chicago Tuesday as a good sign, given that he thinks the spending measure Rauner signed into law Monday was due to last week’s meeting.  But, Manar says, the public is watching.

“Voters are paying attention — rightfully so — to what’s happening, or, some would say, what isn’t happening today,” said Manar.

Manar said people know that government is divided, but they also know that there are many agencies suffering because of it.  He says disagreements remain “on the role of government, how budgets are to be put together, what priorities are,” said Manar.  “The governor continuously puts into those conversations about the budget things that, in my opinion, have nothing to do with the state budget.”