Illinois lawmakers tasked with resolving the state's unprecedented budget impasse are to gather to begin the effort.
Governor Bruce Rauner has called a special session in Springfield that starts today (Wednesday), saying the time to act hasn't been more urgent.
If there's no budget by July 1st, the state will begin a third consecutive year without a spending plan.
Credit ratings agencies have already said they'll downgrade the state's worst-in-then-nation rating down a notch to "junk status."
The first-term Republican governor and Democrats who control the Legislature have been deadlocked since 2015.
Rauner says he wants pro-business reforms in conjunction with a budget.
Democrats say they've approved several of those ideas, but Republicans keep changing their demands.
Republicans say Democratic efforts fall short.