* Press release…

One day after House and Senate Republicans unveiled a compromise balanced budget plan to end the budget impasse, Governor Bruce Rauner today called lawmakers back to Springfield for a 10-day special session from Wednesday, June 21st through the June 30th fiscal year deadline.

“Republicans in the General Assembly have laid out a compromise budget plan that I can sign,” Governor Rauner said in a video announcing special session. “It provides a true path to property tax reduction and it reforms the way our state operates to reduce wasteful spending. It will fund our schools and human services, while spurring economic growth and job creation. It is a true compromise – and one I hope the majority in the General Assembly will accept.”

For two weeks, the majority in the General Assembly ignored repeated calls to return to Springfield since adjourning on May 31st without passing a full-year balanced budget. If no action is taken by the General Assembly to pass the compromise balanced budget plan by June 30th, the ramifications for our state will be devastating and long-lasting. In order to find a resolution, Governor Rauner issued 10 proclamations calling for special sessions every day starting Wednesday, June 21 at Noon. The proclamations direct the General Assembly to consider legislation that will reach a balanced budget with changes to our broken system, including property tax relief, job creation, term limits and spending caps. Should the General Assembly enact the compromise balanced budget plan prior to June 30th, the Governor will cancel any remaining special session days.

“We have tough, urgent choices to make, and the legislature must be present to make them,” Governor Rauner said. “In the days ahead, let’s show the people of Illinois we have their best interests in mind, not our own. And together, we will move our state forward to a better and brighter future.”

The official proclamation is here.

…Adding… Rauner’s official video is here.

*** UPDATE 1 *** From Leader Radogno…

“I am anxious to return to the Capitol to continue our work on a comprehensive budget solution. We have a very real deadline looming as we close yet another fiscal year without a budget in place. I hopeful we will have productive sessions, legislative leader meetings with true engagement from all four leaders, and bipartisan efforts toward compromise. I and my Caucus believe a comprehensive solution is within reach and we ought to do everything possible to achieve it before July 1. The alternative to not finding compromise will be devastating to Illinois.”

*** UPDATE 2 ***   From the Democratic Governors Association…

Rauner Waits Until After Big Fundraiser to Call Special Session

Rauner Funneling Money to IL GOP To Continue Running Attack Ads During Budget Negotiations

Last week, Bruce Rauner held a memorable press conference where he attacked Democrats for holding “sham” hearings with “props” disguised as people, and threatened to “force” legislators back to Springfield for a Special Session. It was great theater.

And only that. Rauner waited two weeks to “force” legislators back because he could not call it before his big fundraiser on the 19th. That would have been bad optics.

And really his big press conference was one big play itself. The whole event came on the heels of a three-day campaign-like swing featuring the same kind of people “props” he would decry the next day.

Over the next few days Rauner will play the part of compromiser, all the while funneling millions to the Illinois GOP to continue running attack ads during budget negotiations.

The role that he was born for? “Most vulnerable incumbent in the nation.”

“Bruce Rauner’s decision to hold a fundraiser before calling a special session shows voters exactly what his priorities are,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “The fact is that Bruce Rauner is more interested in playing politics than getting a real deal done for the people of Illinois. Holding fundraisers and campaign-style events, and running attack ads, is exactly the theatrical politics that landed his as ‘most vulnerable incumbent in the nation.’”

*** UPDATE 3 *** House Republican Leader Jim Durkin…

“With the fiscal year coming to a close and the House Democrats failure to produce a budget during session warrants the Governor’s action today. We can break this impasse if the House Democrats are willing to negotiate in good faith.”

*** UPDATE 4 *** This post is apparently popping up all over Facebook today…

*** UPDATE 5 *** From John Patterson, spokesman for Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton…

I will remind everyone that the Illinois Senate has been in session the last six months and produced a balanced budget plan that was approved and sent to the Illinois House.

I’m not sure where Governor Rauner was during the first half of the year, but the Senate did his work and balanced his spending plan using the numbers and tax rate he wanted.

Now that he’s decided to engage, it would be helpful if he could use his influence to marshal the House Republicans to join the bipartisan coalition and support his tax increase and spending plan and get a balanced budget approved in the House. Until then, the Senate has already done the work and is waiting for the governor to finish the job.

Heh.

*** UPDATE 6 *** Sen. Bill Brady…

“It’s unfortunate that we’re in this situation, but I applaud Governor Rauner for doing what was necessary and calling the General Assembly back to Springfield,” said Brady noting, “This week I introduced a real, full year balanced state budget that isn’t another lifeline, stop gap, or band-aid budget. My budget and the compromise reform measures my colleagues have put forth this week are the real solutions that the people of this state deserve. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get back to work to get this done.”

*** UPDATE 7 *** Sen. Kwame Raoul…

I understand the urgency of ending the budget impasse. I understood that urgency last month, when I joined my colleagues in the Senate in voting for a balanced budget. What I wonder is why Governor Rauner seems to be in such a hurry now. Where was he last month? Where were the Republicans last month when we took difficult votes to pass a budget that will allow us to pay our bills on time?

The governor’s stalling on a budget deal isn’t just frustrating – it’s costly. The special session will cost taxpayers $64,687 a day, totaling $646,870 over the 10-day session. At a time when the state owes $15 billion in unpaid bills, this is hardly money we can afford to spend.

Again, I understand the need for immediate action. I simply wish Gov. Rauner and Republicans had been this interested in working quickly when we voted to pass a balanced budget in May.