SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) _ Governor Bruce Rauner says a partial state government shutdown is worth the pain if it brings fundamental change to business and politics in Illinois.
He told reporters this morning that ``change is hard ... but we need to have change.'' Rauner addressed workers at the Illinois Emergency Management Agency one day before the state begins a new fiscal year without a budget agreement.
The governor insists on changes he says will make it cheaper to do business and to free politics from corruption before agreeing with the Democratic-controlled legislature. Democrats say it's more important to have a budget in place so state services aren't interrupted.
The Illinois House later today plans to hear testimony from agency officials about preparations for a disruption in state services because of the budget impasse.
