The next governor of Illinois says he’s telling state agencies they might have to get ready for budget cuts. Republican Bruce Rauner is scheduled to be sworn in next month. That’s also when the state’s income tax is scheduled to drop, meaning less money for government agencies.
Rauner says the current budget is not balanced, and he’s been meeting with the department heads who will present recommended cuts.
"We’ve had a budget that has been passed and is managed to that is nowhere near balanced. And we hope and believe that the department heads should be planning and preparing for a budget that actually is balanced."
State lawmakers are scheduled to return to Springfield this week for what might be their final meetings before Rauner is sworn in. They’re not expected to vote to keep the income tax at a higher rate.