ILL-inois: Budget standoff means no Christmas lights at capitol

The Illinois' secretary of state's office announced yesterday that because of the budget battle between state House speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) and Republican reform governor Bruce Rauner, the Christmas lights that usually adorn the dome of the state capitol in Springfield will not be installed this year.

Madigan's gerrymandered-empowered super-majority in the General Assembly refuses to agree to Rauner's reforms, such as taking away decennial redistricting from the legislature and term limits, in exchange for his agreeing to a tax hike.

Last year the political newcomer became the first gubernatorial candidate to win a majority of the vote in the Land of Lincoln since 2002.