Gov. Rauner OKs ‘piecemeal’ spending plan in rare compromise

In a rare flash of state Capitol cooperation during the protracted budget standoff, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a stopgap measure Monday to backfill local government coffers, pay heating bills for the poor, keep domestic violence shelters open and even resume writing checks for lottery winnings over $600.

The Republican governor took action just hours after the Democratic-controlled Senate sent him the legislation on a 53-0 vote. The conservative businessman has steadfastly opposed “piecemeal” spending during the deadlock now in its sixth month but reached a compromise on the matter with Democrats last week…Please click here to read John O’Connor and Ivan Moreno’s Associated Press story on ABC 7 News.