Even with super majorities in the Illinois Senate and House, Democrats are struggling to lock up support for Governor Pat Quinn's budget plan. But there's still time - session is scheduled to adjourn at the end of this month.
Quinn's budget relies on keeping Illinois' income tax rate at 5%, rather than let it roll back to 3.75% as scheduled.
Agency heads have gone before legislators to make the case that without the tax revenue, drastic cuts are on the way.
Republicans are having none of it; they blame Democratic mismanagement.
A line which makes it difficult for Democratic legislators to go along with Quinn's tax plan.
Evanston Rep. Elaine Nekritz, a top Democrat in the House, says the budget is a work in progress.
"I'm not making any predictions right now, it's all in such a state of flux and every legislator I talk to about the budget and what they'd like to see, how they'd like to see it resolved, has a different idea."
So, experts say, on to what else the General Assembly has on the agenda. Quinn also wants Illinois to raise the minimum wage to at least $10, but there too Democrats don't yet appear to have the votes.
It's largely expected other major proposals, like changes to fire and police pensions and retooling how the state funds schools, will not get wrapped up this spring.
