One Day Away from Budget Deadline

One day till the temporary budget expires ... But one state leader says we have a week till we feel the pinch. Today the comptroller called on the top lawmakers and the governor to sign a memorandum of agreement to get a budget passed by August 8th. He says if not then a shutdown is on the way. Some of the leaders' spokespeople WCFN talked today (Monday) say there's no need to get an agreement signed ... Rather a budget needs to be hammered out .... now. In a meeting without the governor ... All four leaders met for about an hour ... Not much was said only that they're making progress. Meantime ... The comptroller says state workers should show up for work even if there isn't a budget passed by tomorrow or the next day. He says paychecks and school aid payments are due next week .. so they have a few days to hammer out an agreement ... And continue state operations. Although the governor has been blamed for the hold up today (Monday) he's blaming lawmakers for not getting on board with *his healthcare plan. "Everyone has to be willing to give and take and accept some things that maybe they don't like in order to get the bigger package which can really address all of the needs across Illinois." Said Governor Rod Blagojevich, (D) Illinois. But the state's comptroller says something needs to be done, "We cannot have this air of uncertainty, air of panic out there as to whether on Wednesday government will be open or three weeks from Wednesday government will be open." Said Comptroller Daniel Hynes, (D) Illinois. Today an ally to the governor introduced a temporary budget in the house. But many of the lawmakers are against that. The senate president's spokesperson says the leaders will meet again tomorrow ... Without the governor. But adds the senate president has the same goals as the governor. When asked if the governor was a problem during the negotiations... She wouldn't respond. The speaker is calling for the entire house to meet next Wednesday about education funding.