Senate Agrees to Spending Reductions—for now

Last week the House and Senate returned to Springfield to approve reauthorization of capital projects and ensure that building and road projects throughout the state continue without interruption. A bill doing just that was approved by the House in May but the Senate amended the bill in an attempt to increase spending in the FY2012 budget.

Governor Quinn—also hoping to get more spending authority--created a crisis by determining that construction project bills could not be approved after June 30 th . A shut down in projects would have delayed the remodeling of Cole Hall at Northern Illinois University, idled a reported 52,000 workers and resulted in the loss of another construction season.

Many Senate Democrats were irritated at the House approved FY 2012 budget which reduced spending authority about $493 million from last year and consequently amended the capital bill to include $430 million in increased spending authority. The plan failed as Senate Republicans and the House with nearly unanimous and bipartisan support sought to balance the budget for the first time in years.

The current state financial crisis will not be solved in a year or even by 2014 when the recent income tax hike is set to be rolled back. While some in the legislature would like to change priorities and increase spending for certain programs, overall spending must be reduced further, more reforms are necessary and operating efficiencies must be improved.

Illinois has not made it easier to do business in this state and with the increased cost of taxes, businesses will continue to leave, and expand and add jobs in other states. Many of us in the General Assembly believe the governor should stop offering tax incentives to the multi-national companies to keep them in Illinois but should rather attack the core problem and make it easier for all businesses to operate, employ people and stimulate our economy in Illinois.

Finally, Action to Collect Extra Federal Assistance for Medicaid

Legislation was finally approved that will allow Illinois to pay more of its Medicaid bills before June 30 and collect a higher rate of federal reimbursement. SB1633 allows transferring of money between funds in order to pay about $900 million in Medicaid bills and capture about $63 million in additional federal reimbursement.

For months I, along with Treasurer Rutherford and other legislators, have urged the governor to pay more of the backlog in Medicaid bills while the federal government was reimbursing Illinois at a higher than normal rate. Earlier this fiscal year the federal government was reimbursing Illinois at over a 60 percent level which has now dropped to 57 percent and will drop further to the normal 50 percent level on July 1.

Omnibus Election Bill Passes ; Forms New Judicial Circuit

Senate Bill 1586, an all-encompassing election bill, was approved by the General Assembly last week after months of negotiations between the Secretary of State and the State Board of Elections. Among the many provisions is the separation of Kane County from DeKalb and Kendall Counties in the 16 th Judicial Circuit.

The three counties in the 16 th Circuit are very different with Kane County being much larger in population and type of court cases. DeKalb and Kendall Counties will become the 23 rd Circuit on December 3, 2012. Eventually they will each have 3 residing Circuit Judges and a total of no less than 5 associate judges. Collective bargaining rights of employees will not be affected by the change to a new circuit.

In addition, the bill requires election authorities to have a sufficient number of ballots available for military personnel at least 46 days prior to any election at which federal officers are elected. To further make certain that military ballots are returned in the allotted time (and counted), county clerks can gather confidential e-mail addresses of military personnel.

Judicial candidates will be required to gather more petition signatures to be placed on the ballot and prohibited from filing for more than one position in an election.

Election authorities will be permitted to close an early voting site, without a court order, in the event of a severe weather emergency if the building in which it is located is closed due to the emergency. The election authority will need to make up the day by holding early voting on the 2 nd day before the election.

The bill also allows school boards to place an advisory question on the ballot at the next election, provided the question is approved by a majority of the board.

New Reforms for Chicago Public School are Good Practices for all

While Senate Bill 630 applies only to Chicago Public Schools (CPS), it sets good policies and practices for all districts. The legislation modifies SB 620 which passed earlier to allow for input from the new Chicago school superintendant and mayor.

Much of this legislation stems from the findings of a special committee formed by House members last year to investigate Chicago school closures, capital plans and public information. I was appointed to serve on the committee due to my interest in the largest school district and its impact upon our state.

From the committee hearings, we uncovered that all too often capital money is being spent in school districts without a long-range plan or discussion with the affected neighborhoods and student's families. In a large district like CPS, such actions open the door to charges of political favoritism and greater funding disparities between schools.

The core elements of the reform are good policies for all districts: 1) the school board must develop space per student and facility standards; 2) develop a 10-year facility master plan that is updated every 5 years; and 3) develop a 5-year capital improvement plan.

CPS must also be more open with its budgeting and reporting. Beginning in FY2013 the superintendent must provide the school board an annual capital expenditure report within 90 days after the end of school year and post it on the school's website. The school must also report its building inventory, any building leases, and planned capital improvements.

Job Opportunities for Youth; Quick Action Required

The Governor has announced two summer programs to employ young people in recreation and conservation activities. The Illinois Youth Recreation Corps provides a grant to units of local government and not-for-profit entities to employ 16 to 19-years-olds for up to 60 days this summer. Grants will fund wages for jobs that provide recreational opportunities in areas including physical activity, arts and learning. Deadline for applications is Thursday June 30. Contact my office for the form.

The second program employs youth 18 to 25-years old for up to six months of work with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Youth must be currently unemployed and eligible to work primarily at state parks. Applications are available at my office and applicants will be accepted on a first come basis.

The work is similar to the Civilian Conservation Corp of the 1930s where workers assist IDNR staff with park maintenance and construction. I encourage quick action to take advantage of these employment opportunities.

I hope to see you this weekend at one of the many parades and celebrations of our nation's birthday. Take time to reflect upon our nation's history and the vision for independency of our founding fathers. Let us renew the American spirit of self determination, personal effort, and a helping hand up for those in time of need.

Bob