Three of the four legislative caucus leaders met again today with Governor Bruce Rauner as negotiations continue to reach a budget compromise by the end of next week. Unfortunately, House Speaker Michael Madigan did not attend today’s meeting, stalling progress toward negotiating a balanced budget.

Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno said that Madigan’s absence from the scheduled meeting spoke for itself, but said that leaders would continue to meet as much as possible. Radogno and Republican leaders have continued to stress the need to use the next two weeks to pass a full-year balanced budget along with transformational reforms to improve economic conditions in Illinois.