The state treasurer says not enough people realize Illinois’ credit could soon be rated “junk.” That’s if lawmakers and the governor don’t agree on a budget by the end of this month. Treasurer Mike Frerichs has mostly avoided the political fight surrounding the state’s budget crisis. But he says if former Republican Governor Jim Edgar can criticize the current governor, piling on isn’t political.
“Governor Edgar said ‘I don’t know how you can run a state without a budget.’ And that is the number one priority and responsibility of the governor here in this state. So I would say, this is not a partisan attack.”
Frerichs’ criticisms of Gov. Bruce Rauner sound similar to those of other Democrats. He says lawmakers in the General Assembly are also to blame, but it was the governor who blew up the Senate’s good-faith negotiations.
Rauner has said that deal wasn’t good for taxpayers. But he says his office is working closely with lawmakers to find an agreement.
