A bipartisan group of legislators have developed a potential framework for a new state budget. Members say they're hesitant to share details out of respect for their private negotiations. But sources say the plan relies on billions of dollars in cuts, and billions of dollars in income and sales tax increases. Democratic Representative Fred Crespo of Hoffman Estates was clear that it's nowhere near a done deal.
"It was basically an exercise to put together a balanced budget, that's what it was. It was making sure that the pluses and minuses added up. There's no agreement in the group, we just agreed that we would present this to the leaders and see how they react."
It's an exercise that’s purely based on numbers. But philosophical and political disputes remain. Governor Bruce Rauner is adamant that he will not agree to raise taxes, unless he gets changes he says would help Illinois' business climate and lower government costs. Democrats have opposed those ideas, saying they'll reduce living standards for the middle class.
