Rauner calls his demands on Senate budget plan 'reasonable'

Gov. Bruce Rauner defended his suggestions on how Senate lawmakers can alter their budget proposal to win his support, saying his ideas are “reasonable.”

The Republican governor offered up potential changes during his annual budget address last week, touting the evolving Senate proposal as a way to break the state’s unprecedented budget impasse. But some Democratic lawmakers criticized the move, saying it could derail sensitive talks.

They also raised concerns about a campaign video posted after Rauner’s speech touting “a grand bargain” to end the budget, accusing Rauner of trying to take credit for the work done by lawmakers.

On Thursday, Rauner took reporters’ questions for the first time since his budget speech, saying that in his address he was simply responding to requests from lawmakers, including Senate President John Cullerton, to lay out where he stands on the Senate’s efforts.

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