Posted by Monique Garcia at 12:35 p.m.
Lawmakers plan to return to Springfield early next week to take up the task of finishing the state budget.
House members were sent a memo today saying they should return to Springfield Monday afternoon and plan to stay through Wednesday. Senators also are likely to return during that time.
Unresolved is a spending plan for the upcoming budget year. Negotiations came to a halt earlier this month when Democratic lawmakers who control the General Assembly couldn’t reach an agreement. On the table are a host of unpalatable ideas for lawmakers facing election later this year, including skipping this year’s nearly $4 billion pension payment, increasing the cigarette tax by $1 a pack and making massive cuts elsewhere.
Democrats want to send a budget to Gov. Pat Quinn by May 31. Going past the deadline means Republicans gain a say in budget negotiations.