Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner is pushing a stopgap budget to fund schools, universities and other state services amid an ongoing fight with Democrats in the Legislature.
The Republican governor ripped a Democratic plan to fund schools in the new fiscal year beginning Friday, repeating criticism that it amounts to a “bailout” of Chicago Public Schools.
Democrats argue their plan treats Chicago schools the same as every other Illinois district. Rauner says Republican legislative leaders plan to file their own proposals Tuesday.
They would fund K-12 education, road construction and other programs for a full year even if lawmakers don’t agree on a new state budget by the Thursday night deadline.
Lawmakers return to Springfield Wednesday for the first time after adjourning their spring session without approving a budget.
