State Workers Ordered to Go to Work

State workers are told to show up for work tomorrow. Itll be the first day the state cant spend any money till a budget is passed. A short day for lawmakers at the state house but leaders met for a huge chunk of their day. They didnt have much to say ... Other than theyre making progress. The governor is insisting a temporary budget be passed till they can hammer one out .... thatll include *his health care plan. The governor sent out letters letting workers know theyll still get paid even if there isnt a budget by pay day. But Speaker Madigan and the other leaders say theyd rather work on a full spending plan before theres a government shutdown. "I think were close. As far as I am concerned I can see a budget being passed very quickly and being signed by the governor " Said Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, (D) Chicago. And the Senate Minority Leader says although theres no budget, the latest meetings are working, "When we talk about progress its very piecemeal, its very little each time, its not something we can just grab a hold of and say we got a deal but it is progress." Said Senator Frank Watson, (R) Greenville. The man in charge of paying the bills says they need to start paying by August 8th, workers are expected to get their checks by the 15th. The governor also says one time no interest loans will be available to workers who rely on a family budget. This isnt the first time workers have seen this type of letter. Back in 1991 .. former Governor Jim Edgar sent a similar letter out when it they faced a potential shutdown. This is the longest session in Illinois history.