CHICAGO (AP) — Republican Governor-elect Bruce Rauner has met with top Democratic legislative leaders House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton.

The trio met for roughly two hours Thursday at the private Chicago Club.

Madigan’s spokesman Steve Brown says it was a “productive” meeting. He says Madigan plans to “work professionally” with Rauner and the challenge going forward is the budget. Cullerton’s spokesman John Patterson says it was a “forward-looking” meeting.

Rauner’s spokesman says it was “positive” and he wants to find bipartisan solutions for Illinois’ problems.

Rauner ousted Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn in last week’s election. On election night, Rauner said he called Madigan and Cullerton before his victory speech. However, he didn’t speak directly to them that evening, and he’s been trying to schedule a meeting since.

 

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