By AP/KWMU
Springfield, Ill – The top officials in the Illinois Legislature outlined sharply different priorities today as the new General Assembly was sworn in.
Senate President Emil Jones devoted most of his speech to education funding and the need to close the gap between wealthy and poor school districts.
Jones also talked about the need to spend money on stem cell research and state construction projects.
But House Speaker Michael Madigan emphasized the state's financial problems. He says balancing the budget will require unpopular choices on taxes and spending cuts.
Madigan stopped short of proposing either a tax increase or major budget cuts.