By AP/KWMU
Springfield, Ill – Governor Rod Blagojevich is calling lawmakers back to Springfield for a special session that he hopes will jumpstart stalled budget negotiations.
The governor said the special session will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday and will go until lawmakers balance the budget.
The new budget year begins next week, and top lawmakers are still deeply divided on a spending plan to keep state services running.
Rank-and-file lawmakers were sent home May 31st, while the leaders continued to negotiate with the governor on closing a $2.3 billion hole in the $54 billion budget.
Blagojevich says it's now time for everyone who is part of the process to return to the Capitol and finish the job.