Illinois has been without a budget for 19 weeks. For almost five months, lawmakers and Gov. Rauner have been locked in a battle split down party lines.
The governor offered to reduce some of the cuts for child care for low-income parents, but House Speaker Mike Madigan called a vote which some critics say was burning the olive branch. However, one Democratic lawmaker broke ranks—to the consternation of his colleagues.
Is there any hope for compromise on the budget stalemate?
Joining us in the discussion are state Rep. Will Davis (D-East Hazel Crest), who chairs both the Health and Healthcare Disparities committee and the Elementary and Secondary Education Appropriations committee, and state Rep. David Harris (R-Mount Prospect), the Revenue and Finance committee's Republican spokesperson.
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State Rep. Ken Dunkin Breaks Ranks With Democrats Again
On Tuesday, state Rep. Ken Dunkin was the lone Democratic holdout on two bills that would have walked back changes made to social service programs by the governor. This, despite pleas from child care advocates and the risks associated with going against powerful House Speaker Mike Madigan. Dunkin visited “Chicago Tonight” to discuss why he chose not to cast a vote for those bills and about the mood in Springfield as the budget impasse drags on.