One Senator says the state is being held hostage while another says the state needs to be more business friendly, showing the continued divide between leading Democrats in the General Assembly and a Republican Governor and GOP lawmakers.

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Republican Governor Bruce Rauner has for months insisted that the legislature approve his turnaround agenda which includes a property tax freeze with local cost controls, workers’ compensation and tort reform, term limits and an independent map making commission for legislative redistricting. Democrats contend the Governor’s proposed reforms are non-budget issues.