Crossing Party Lines, Lawmakers End Two-Year Budget Stalemate

Michael Madigan
House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) during a vote that passed a budget package that included a $5 billion income tax increase. Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the budget proposals. The State Journal-Register via AP
Michael Madigan
House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) during a vote that passed a budget package that included a $5 billion income tax increase. Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the budget proposals. The State Journal-Register via AP

Crossing Party Lines, Lawmakers End Two-Year Budget Stalemate

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Almost one week into the third straight year with no budget, lawmakers in Springfield finally ended the stalemate Thursday. 

After Democrats pushed an income tax hike earlier in the week, Gov. Bruce Rauner stuck to his word and vetoed the budget Tuesday. But enough Republican House members broke party lines to join House Democrats in overriding Gov. Rauner’s veto. 

There were backroom deals, implications for the 2018 governor’s race and even a lockdown at the Capitol when a suspicious white substance was found. We break it all down with WBEZ’s Tony Arnold and WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky.