Gov. Bruce Rauner opened the much-anticipated budget summit by welcoming legislative leaders including the Democrats he's feuded with for months.
The first part of the meeting is being televised online for the public, then the leaders will negotiate behind closed doors.
Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan suggested the whole conference be public, but Republican Rauner is allowing just opening remarks to be televised.
Rauner and the Legislature's majority Democrats have been unable to agree on a spending plan now six months into the state's fiscal year.
Rauner and the four legislative leaders, haven't been in the same room together since May.
