Despite what the governor says, the Democrat votes aren’t there for increasing taxes on Illinois residents, according to the Senate president.

With nearly seven full months and no budget, the state is estimated to be paying out billions more than it’s bringing in because of court orders and consent decrees. Governor Bruce Rauner said majority Democrats could move on their own to increase revenue to pay for programs they want to fund.

However, Senate President John Cullerton says there aren’t enough Democrats willing to do that.

Cullerton says if there’s no tax increase the governor will have to address where to cut to make up the budget shortfall he says is $6.5 billion.

In other State news, the state treasurer’s office is opening a new investment program aimed at helping Illinois-based technology start-ups. John Gregory reports.  The $220 million in the new Illinois Growth and Innovation Fund isn’t diverting tax dollars away from the general revenue fund, according to State Treasurer Mike Frerichs. He said investing in worthwhile companies has the potential to be a revenue generator for the state…  Because the money isn’t coming from the general revenue fund, Frerich said it’s not held up by the budget impasse.  Not all start-ups can receive money from the fund, however—Frerichs said it’s designed to be limited to companies in the technology and bioscience sectors.