Mt. Vernon Register-News

State News

June 24, 2009

Lawmakers going home despite budget crisis

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois lawmakers are heading back to work, but probably not for long.

Legislators on Wednesday hope to vote on some technical issues related to a new state budget and a public works program. Then they plan to adjourn until next week.

Illinois faces a massive budget deficit and officials can’t agree on whether to raise taxes to help fill that gap.

But Gov. Pat Quinn says he’s OK with rank-and-file lawmakers leaving Springfield. He says staff and top legislators can continue working on the budget.

Lawmakers plan to come back to the Capitol on June 30, the day the current budget expires.

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