By Cole Lauterbach/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Bruce Rauner continues to warn lawmakers negotiating on a budget deal that the state is not going to get out of its economic doldrums by raising taxes alone.

In a speech to business advocates and leaders held by the state and U.S. Chambers of Commerce, Rauner said the state’s budgets have been unbalanced for years.

“Right now, in Illinois, everybody is saying, ‘We gotta have a budget, we need a balanced budget.’ It is simple math. If economic growth is slower than government spending growth, we don’t have balanced budgets,” he said.

Opposition to the governor’s proposed reforms has been met with the defense that they would bring down the quality of life for the middle class. Rauner said that doesn’t hold water.

“These people say, ‘We protect the middle class in Illinois.’ No we don’t. Our middle class is getting hammered because our businesses are leaving,” he said.

Rauner gave praise to Senate Democrats for working on some of his reform items, but he was quick to add that the plan that includes significant tax increases isn’t ready for a vote.

“They’re still working,” he said. “It isn’t quite baked, but the senators are working on issues that matter.”

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce testified against the package of 13 Senate bills that compose the budget deal. President Todd Maisch said there were aspects of the agreement that he liked, but the reforms weren’t enough for businesses to save more money that tax increases would take.

Senate leadership said their budget plan is still fluid. The latest plan would be to raise state income taxes to nearly 5 percent.