Illinois Democrats say their party is strong and more energized than ever, thanks to Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.
The day after Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner accused them of holding up progress, hundreds of Democrats packed into a ballroom rose to their feet when Senate President John Cullerton said "We are willing to work with Gov. Rauner, but we don't work for Gov. Rauner, okay?"
Democrats were in Springfield for their annual state fair gathering.
Illinois has been without a budget since the start of June, as Rauner and the legislature's Democratic supermajorities face off in what House Speaker Michael Madigan called an "epic struggle."
"Illinois has a Republican governor who thinks that the Illinois budget-making should be used and leveraged to bring down the wage rates all across the state, and to bring down the standard of living for middle class families."
During the GOP's rally at the fair a day earlier, Rauner said Madigan has "ice water" in his veins.
