The Illinois Senate has moved forward on pieces of a budget compromise. But the tough votes are scheduled for tomorrow. The Senate approved non-contentious parts of what's called the "grand bargain" today. It's an effort to find a breakthrough on a two-year stalemate between Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Legislature.
The Republican governor won't agree to a tax increase to tackle a multi billion-dollar deficit without regulatory changes to strengthen business and weaken unions.
Democrats control the Senate and provided most of the votes to approve plans to streamline state purchasing, expand casino gambling and more. But Senate President John Cullerton's pension overhaul failed.
He said he'll call it again tomorrow and is confident that tough votes on an income tax increase and a local property tax freeze will occur.
