Illinois Budget Talks For Next Year Underway

Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs is shown at the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, in Springfield, Ill.
Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs is shown at the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, in Springfield, Ill. AP Photo/Seth Perlman
Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs is shown at the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, in Springfield, Ill.
Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs is shown at the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, in Springfield, Ill. AP Photo/Seth Perlman

Illinois Budget Talks For Next Year Underway

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Illinois Democrats and Republicans recently agreed to form a group to discuss state budget ideas. 

That may seem small, but Jim Durkin - the top House Republican - says it’s not. He says even sitting down together is good. 

However, if Democrats won’t deal on issues like workers compensation or collective bargaining limitations - then Durkin says the next year could be a lot like the last one.