200-mile Chicago-to-Springfield budget march steps off
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CHICAGO (AP) - Protesters urging Illinois lawmakers to agree on an annual state budget stepped off on a 200-mile (322-km) march to Springfield.
The March to Springfield got underway at noon Monday. Organizers say marchers range in age from 23 to 90.
They left the James R. Thompson state office building in Chicago's Loop.
The march is organized by Fair Economy Illinois . It will proceed south along the Interstate 55 corridor .
March organizers estimate the protesters will average 13 miles (21 km) a day and arrive in Springfield May 30. That's the day before the Legislature is scheduled to end its spring session.
Democrats who control the General Assembly have been at odds with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner over an annual budget for two years.