(Springfield, IL) -- The latest round of budget craziness at the Illinois Capitol saw police escort a handful of protesters out of the statehouse in handcuffs. Eight members of the Services Employees International Union waited for lawmakers and TV cameras before flopping down in front of the Illinois House. Capitol Police officers quickly scooped them-up and took them out of the building, where officials say they were released with just a warning. Hundreds of other protesters marched and cheered in support.

The union protest came on the same day that lawmakers are trying to come to terms on a state budget before the current budget expires. Other protesters have flooded the Capitol this spring and summer demanding action, or higher taxes, or fewer budget cuts. But this was the first time police became involved with a group of protesters. No one was injured, and no one resisted officers when they began escort them from the statehouse.