House Speaker Michael Madigan has assembled a four member team in a bid to seek out a budget compromise with Governor Bruce Rauner. 

 

He has tabbed Representatives Barbara Flynn Currie, Lou Lang, Arthur Turner and Jay Hoffman to work with the governor to identify areas of his agenda where compromise can be reached. 

 

Madigan released a statement noting critical services have been lost and the bill backlog has grown from a then shrinking 4.5 billion dollars to 13 billion dollars due to two years without a state budget. 

 

Madigan also expressed concern about bond rating agencies paying close attention to the state's lack of a budget. 

 

Madigan says quote - "While we stand firm that the budget – and the budget alone – must be our top priority, it is also our desire to work cooperatively with the governor. It is our strong desire that Governor Rauner join us in putting the budget first. By showing the governor that House Democrats stand ready to work with him in good faith, it is my hope that he will return to the negotiating table and work with us to end the budget crisis.”