The flow of cash to local 911 centers and some state health services will stop this week if Illinois enters another year without a budget. Not approving a spending plan by Friday's start of a new fiscal year also sets in motion other dire scenarios: Schools won't know whether they'll stay open through the year, and vendors that have provided services without payments could file lawsuits to get paid.
Illinois could also lose out on more than $5 billion in federal money for cancer screenings and meals for seniors.
The Democratic-controlled General Assembly is scheduled to meet Wednesday to discuss a plan to fund schools for another year, and other state programs until January.
But serious differences remain between legislative leaders and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.
