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Standoff between Rauner, Dems hangs over Legislature

A standoff between Republican Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and majority Democrats is threatening to derail action on a long list of issues as lawmakers enter the final week of their spring session.  

Legislators returned to Springfield on Monday to finish the session that ends Sunday. 

At the center of their fight is how to erase a roughly $6 billion deficit in next year's budget. 

Democrats want a tax increase to close some of that gap. Rauner and other GOP lawmakers say they're open to raising taxes, but only if the Legislature passes pro-business legislation that Rauner wants.

Several other measures could get caught in the legislative gridlock. They include a plan to expand gambling and a new capital construction program to repair crumbling roads and bridges.

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