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Show Me The Bills! Legislators Wait For Turnaround Agenda

Gov. Bruce Rauner has been traveling the state to promote his so-called "Turnaround Agenda." But don't expect the General Assembly to act on it right away.

It calls for sweeping changes to unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, limits on where lawsuits can be filed and the creation of right-to-work zones. Plus, a local freeze on property taxes, and a repeal of the state's Prevailing Wage Law.

It's a huge agenda. And Rauner's outlined it - you can view an outline of it on the governor's state website.

But so far, it hasn't been introduced in a way that legislators can debate or vote on.

Gov. Bruce Rauner says bills are ready. "We will introduce those when the leaders say we should introduce 'em," he said at a recent editorial board appearance.

But it's unclear who -- or when -- the bills will get the go-ahead.

Senate President John Cullerton, a Democrat, says "we haven't seen any language. We haven't seen any bills of any of his other Turnaround proposals."

It's the same for other leaders, according to sources and spokespeople.

It may seem like a technicality, or inside baseball, and Rauner supporters say even without legislation, the leaders can negotiate with the governor on the broad terms of his agenda. But without actual bills, the legislature can't take any action. And Rauner says he won't contemplate a tax hike, or reverse course on his proposed budget cuts, until his Turnaround package is passed.

Amanda Vinicky moved to Chicago Tonight on WTTW-TV PBS in 2017.
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