By AP/KWMU
Springfield, Ill. – The leaders of the Illinois House and Senate - both Democrats - are again showing signs of divisions over the state budget. Those same divisions sent last year's legislative session into two months of overtime.
House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones took much different stands on the budget yesterday during speeches to business groups at a Springfield hotel.
Madigan says he plans to continue to work with Republicans in a coalition that promotes conservative spending and limited borrowing to meet budget needs.
Jones says that coalition accomplished little last year. But Jones also said he's at odds with Governor Rod Blagojevich over gambling expansion and education funding.
Both leaders say they hope to have a budget deal by the end of this month when the session is supposed to end. But they both warned that may not happen.