SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. Bruce Rauner used his State of the State address to call on lawmakers to work with him to resolve Illinois’ budget crisis, saying both parties agree something needs to change.
The Republican delivered the speech to a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly on Wednesday.
Rauner says any deal to end Illinois’ year-and-a-half long state budget stalemate must include legislation to improve the business climate, such as making workers’ compensation insurance cheaper.
He says Illinois’ economy could “take off like a rocket ship” if lawmakers could agree on pro-business measures.
Rauner has insisted on those changes before he’ll sign off on a tax hike to balance the budget. Majority Democrats have resisted, saying his agenda hurts working people.
The governor says he’s heartened by a bipartisan deal the Senate is considering and the Legislature should “build on that cooperation.”
