By AP / KWMU
Springfield, IL – Blagojevich says he answered lots of questions and heard some complaints during the meeting. Some House members say the meeting helped clear the air after Blagojevich's public criticism of fellow Democrats over the state budget.
But with no deal in sight on the budget and the end of the fiscal year approaching, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan says he plans for the House to pass a "core-services" budget today. That would be a stripped-down version of the budget meant to give agencies enough money to keep operating until a permanent budget is passed.
Blagojevich has said he would
look at Madigan's proposal. Senate President Emil Jones, though, says he opposes the idea and wants to work on passing a real budget.