Senate President John Cullerton says first-term Gov. Bruce Rauner should "stop campaigning" and focus on managing Illinois. The Democrat held a news conference in Chicago to respond to Rauner's comments in Springfield criticizing House Democrats for canceling a legislative session day.
Rauner has been traveling statewide since legislators adjourned last month without a budget deal for the second year in a row.
Cullerton deemed it a "scorched earth tour," saying it's distracting to groups of rank-and-file lawmakers who have been meeting to come to an agreement. He accused Rauner of planning the tour before lawmakers adjourned.
Cullerton says it's a hopeful sign that Rauner now backs short-term budget legislation for schools and human services and that's what lawmakers have been discussing in smaller groups, including on Wednesday.
