Gov. Bruce Rauner and Illinois lawmakers are contemplating dire economic forecasts as they meet in search of a state budget deal. Legislative leaders met with the governor at the Capitol and discussed numbers released Tuesday by Rauner's budget director.
They include an estimate that the state will be $7 billion in the red by June 30, and that the backlog of unpaid bills will top $13 billion by then.
The Republican governor and Democratic leaders have been unable to agree on a full-year spending plan for nearly two years. The state is operating with a partial budget that ends next month and lawmakers need to agree to a fiscal blueprint for the spring.
Senate President John Cullerton, a Chicago Democrat, says it's clear spending cuts and taxes are needed.
