Illinois lawmakers are returning to the Capitol this week to resume work on trying to end the budget stalemate that has eluded them for almost two years.
The State Journal-Register reports that just before lawmakers’ two-week spring break, the House approved another stopgap spending bill that would give more than $800 million to human-services programs and higher education.
But an overall Illinois budget remains a work in progress. Issues include school funding reform, pension changes, a higher minimum wage and other matters that were part of the Senate’s “grand bargain.”
Efforts to pass the Senate plan include a dozen interconnected bills that suffered a major setback when Republican support evaporated nearly overnight in early March.
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has said he believes a deal is close.