Illinois’ budget standoff could mean lights out at Capitol

By museum officials’ calculations, the closing of the 138-year-old museum in Springfield and its four satellite facilities will initially save the state less than $400,000, a tiny fraction of Illinois’ projected $5 billion budget gap.

Now as the state enters a fourth month without a budget, the presidents of the state’s nine public universities Thursday sent a letter to the governor and legislative leaders asking for a meeting, and pleading for a resolution.

Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican, and the Democrat-controlled Legislature have not agreed on a state budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

“Unfortunately, my office is getting to the point where our bills are no longer being paid, and this will directly impact office services to the people”, White wrote. “The situation has grown critical, and we are seeking a solution to this problem”. By saving this money, White’s office can afford to still mail out renewal stickers, titles and license plates to residents at their homes. “As a result, hard decisions like suspending renewal reminder notice mailings are decisions we are being forced to make”. White also said a pin number is required to renew vehicle registration stickers online.

Rauner and White spoke by phone last week, according to both offices.

Rauner spokeswoman Lyndsey Walters said in addition to scientific research, curators will maintain collections and educators will plan future programming. “We remain hopeful they will eventually come to the table”. The governor is trying to tie passage of the new budget to changes in labor laws – including creating “right-to-work zones” – that would hurt state workers and to changes in the tax code, but the legislature refuses to sign the package.