Ill. officials face budget decision

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - It's decision time for Illinois officials.

Tuesday is the final day of the current budget year for state government. The old budget expires at midnight and a new budget isn't ready to take its place.

Gov. Pat Quinn and legislative leaders must decide what to do.

Lawmakers could send the governor a budget that fails to cover state expenses for the coming year, but Quinn says he'll reject such a budget.

Another option is to pass a temporary budget to keep government running while officials continue budget negotiations.

Quinn wants lawmakers to raise income taxes, but that idea isn't close to passing.

Officials could let the new fiscal year begin without any budget at all. Government could keep running for a couple of weeks without major complications.