(WJBC file photo)
By Greg Bishop/Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ political leaders are accusing each other of campaigning instead of getting to work on school funding and a balanced budget.
Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, said Gov. Bruce Rauner is out on the stump to drive support for school funding and cash for government operations. Cullerton said it’s distracting the working groups in the General Assembly.
“They’re reading their iPhones and they see that the governor is blasting us while we’re supposed to be cooperating with him in a bipartisan way to do what he’s asked us to do,” Cullerton said.
Cullerton called on Rauner to stop touring the state.
“Stop distracting the meeting that he set up with his own staff so that the legislators that are working there can come to an agreement,” Cullerton said.
Cullerton said Democrats are not slow-walking anything as the governor claims.
Rauner said focusing on the rhetoric from either side is the real distraction.
“All of us, I think, hopefully are adults,” Rauner said. “All of us are in office to do a job.”
Rauner said the political tone has been rough for 18 months.
“I agree that the tone should be better,” Rauner said. “Hopefully we’ll get it better. You’ve heard some pretty outrageous things said. It’s just a distraction.”
Rauner said the real issues are getting school funding passed and ensuring government operations are funded through the end of the calendar year.
