Emanuel predicts 'mega-megadeal' to end spring legislative session

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

Mayor Rahm Emanuel predicted Friday that the Illinois General Assembly’s spring session would run into overtime and culminate in a “mega-megadeal,” exhorting supporters to join him in fending off Gov. Bruce Rauner’s doomsday budget cuts.

“I don’t have enough resources in the city, even in a good budget, to make up for an absent state partnership,” Emanuel said during a conference call with hundreds of business, community and religious leaders who helped re-elect him.

“Everybody can high-five each other and get a cup of coffee, but turn this energy into fighting the state. Your voices can’t be quieted and put to the side. Stay engaged so what we built politically in the last six weeks stays activated around issues.”

Emanuel noted that spring sessions normally end with a “megadeal” hammered out behind closed doors in the final 48 hours.

"Behind closed doors". Illinois politics in action.