Madigan passes on meeting with Rauner, other leaders

Gov. Bruce Rauner had hoped for a post-election sit-down Monday with all four of Illinois’ top legislative leaders — Democrats and Republicans.

But the Democrats are out. House Speaker Michael Madigan says he’s busy, and Senate President John Cullerton says the meeting should be rescheduled.

“A short time ago, I determined a schedule conflict will prevent a meeting with the governor and other legislative leaders,” Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said in an email. “We will continue to work to schedule a meeting and look forward to getting an agenda for the meeting from the governor.”

“The Senate president is looking forward to meeting with the governor and Republican leaders,” Cullerton spokesman John Patterson said in his own email. “But it would not be productive if we don’t have a full complement there. Hopefully we can reschedule for as soon as Tuesday. The Senate president is available.”

Madigan declined his invitation to the governor’s meeting just before 6 p.m. Sunday. Cullerton backed out shortly thereafter. The meeting is set for 1 p.m. Monday at the Capitol. The governor’s team is still hoping it will come together.

Rauner has said he sent out formal invitations after the election to Madigan, Cullerton, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin and Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno.

“Three of the four leaders have confirmed they’d be happy to meet on Monday,” Rauner told reporters Friday in Champaign. “And I believe we’ll have that meeting. And I hope it’s productive.”

The meeting would have been a first for Rauner and the Democrats after their grueling and expensive legislative campaign cycle, one in which Madigan and Cullerton collectively lost six Democratic seats in the House and Senate. Rauner also saw his pick for comptroller, Republican Leslie Munger, lose to Democrat Susana Mendoza.

The state’s budget likely would have topped the meeting’s agenda. The state is still operating on a temporary stopgap budget that was approved in July.

The two sides have been at loggerheads over the budget because Rauner insists a spending plan must include reforms he says are crucial to making the state competitive, but Democrats contend many of his “reforms” actually will hurt the middle class.