As the budget stalemate continues in Springfield, the question that continues to be asked is, "Exactly how long until we have a resolution?"

Well, if this interview with House Speaker Michael Madigan is any indication, a deal could be elusive for quite some time.

Take a look at this Q&A from WCIS-TV in Springfield:

In short, Madigan says he doesn't think Governor Rauner won the election, but that former Governor Quinn lost the election. He blames Quinn for being unable to gather the votes of those who turned out to weigh in on the advisory referendum on a minimum wage hike. In fact, Madigan acknowledges the question was put on the ballot solely to help Quinn win re-election:
And the thinking was that if somebody came to vote for the advisory question on the minimum wage their political thinking would be such that they would go for Gov. Quinn.

After processing Madigan's answer, it seems clear he doesn't think the electorate really wanted Rauner to win, or at least truly didn't believe in what Rauner was promising during the campaign. And if Madigan thinks Rauner's win was somewhat illegitimate why would he even consider some of the reform proposals put forth by the Governor?

Rauner has backed down from some of his demands. Rauner has scaled down his turnaround agenda to try to get a deal done. But as a recent Tribune editorial points out, Madigan refuses to soften on anything.

Thus, a stalemate between the two sides and a budget deadline long in the rear view mirror.

I have a side question for Speaker Madigan. Mike Frerichs won the Illinois Treasurer's race by about 9,000 votes over Republican Tom Cross. Should we also consider Frerich's win somewhat illegitimate because he clearly received additional votes spilling over from the minimum wage question on the ballot?

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