Many people have called Governor Blagojevich's visit last week to Northern Illinois University and announcement to replace the building where students were killed as just another publicity stunt and diversion to his federal investigation.  I don't know the governor's motives but I do know the university faces a major dilemma and President Peters asked the governor for assistance in resolving it.

Cole Hall, where the shooting occurred, is a major classroom building offering instruction to over 6,000 students.  During the next few weeks, Senator Burzynski and I will be working with all facets of the university community and the Legislature to determine what immediate and long term needs are necessary to accommodate the classroom requirements for displaced students.   

President Peters has already begun a discussion of the proper memorial for the students who lost their lives and the future for Cole Hall.  Senator Burzynski and I want to work with the university through this crisis in a fiscally responsible manner. 

Financial Woes Set

As I explained the governor's proposed budget plans to you last week, I gave a sampling of the seriousness of Illinois' financial crisis.  There is certainly more to the story.

Illinois is already deeply in debt before we begin to think about the Fiscal Year 2009 budget.  In addition to the $1 .7 billion in unpaid bills, Illinois revenues are underperforming causing additional stress on state finances.  A downturn in the economy has resulted in a $600 million shortfall in the current FY08 budget.  Meanwhile Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias reported state investment income will fall short of budget estimates by $38-$50 million.

Uncontrolled Democrat spending has resulted in $5.2 billion increase in General Revenue Appropriations over the last 5 years – that is a 23 percent increase.  Their insatiable appetite for spending taxpayers' hard earned cash has also caused the General Obligation Bond debt to swell from $7.6 billion to $19.8 billion since 2002.

As we look to begin negotiations on the FY09 budget soon, we see more stormy seas ahead.  Early revenue estimates for FY09 indicate a base revenue growth of only $500-$700 million.  Our Medicaid needs alone will surpass $600 million and obligations to the pension system will top $700 million.  That does not even take into account responsibilities to education, healthcare, human services, and an increased headcount at state agencies.

Over the next few months, I will be pushing for fiscal responsibility, paying our bills, and saying no to additional spending without a viable dedicated revenue source.  I will also be searching for new ways to increase state revenue without overburdening families and employers.  One idea is to pass a capital program to provide good jobs for Illinois families and improve infrastructure.  This will in turn boost the economy and generate more revenue growth for the state.  But I stand firm that a practical funding source is essential and that projects must be proportioned around Illinois, not just in Chicago.

I believe with feedback from you, we can find ways to combat more Democrat tax, borrow, and spend tactics and work to develop a reasonable FY09 budget that puts Illinois back on track to a balanced budget.

Campus Security Task Force Provides Invaluable Information

In the wake of the Virginia Tech shooting, Governor Blagojevich created the Illinois Campus Security Task Force (CSTF) last June.  The task force was designed to develop and implement policies and programs which ensure effective crisis and emergency responses to incidents on Illinois college and university campuses.  The conclusions and recommendations of the task force are expected next month.

The task force is comprised of approximately 60 individuals from the law enforcement, public safety, human service and educational institutions across the state.  Three subgroups were developed to focus on issues such as emergency preparedness and response; awareness, prevention, and mental health; and legal issues.  The CSTF met at NIU last Friday to review the recent campus situation. 

One of the practical aspects of the task force were six All-Hazard Planning Sessions that were held last fall to assist colleges and universities with preparation and response to all types of threats and crisis situations.  

I feel this task force has already provided our universities and colleges with invaluable information and exercises that played a role in the quick response to the shootings last month at NIU.  Though I hope the information and procedures learned during these sessions never have to be used again, we can take comfort that officials are better prepared to protect the safety of our college students, faculty, and staff.

Countywide Referendums for School Construction

School districts in various parts of the state are beginning to implement provisions of a new state law to fund school construction through a county-wide sales tax.  Public Act 95-0675 provides for a county-wide referendum to raise and distribute proceeds of a sales tax to schools based on student population in the county. 

The increase must be in increments of quarter percentage points and may not exceed one percentage point.  The law gives schools another means to raise funds for construction besides property taxes and spreads the cost of projects out to a larger base of residents and consumers.  Shopping centers and major retail businesses are often supported by consumers from many school districts and this law, with voter approval, shares part of the sales tax for school-facility purposes.

Illinois Infant Mortality at All-time Low

The Department of Human Services recently reported Illinois' infant mortality rate in 2005 fell to a new record low of 7.2 deaths per 1,000 live births.  The rate has declined by 40 percent since 1989, and DHS attributes the success to the state's Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program and the Family Case Management (FCM) program.  The department said nine annual studies have shown that participation in these programs during pregnancy “substantially improves infant health.”

These programs frequently provided through the County Health Department offer assistance to women whose chances of having a premature birth are greater than average resulting in a higher rate of infant death before one year of age.  They supply nutrition programs for women and children, counseling, supplemental foods, and strategies for healthcare.  

In 2007, FCM served 345,769 individuals and 519,250 were assisted by WIC.  Together, the programs reach more than 44 percent of all infants (85 percent of Medicaid-eligible) in Illinois.

Building Affordable Housing

As the economy continues to slow and home foreclosures increase, you may wonder what exactly is “affordable housing.”  According to the Illinois Housing Roundtable, affordable housing is being able to pay rent or mortgage, utilities, and other housing costs with 30 percent of the household income.  But according to a report issued by the roundtable, 1 .5 million families pay more than 30 percent of their income on housing and related expenditures, and 722,000 pay more than 50 percent of their household income on housing.  These numbers rose by 69 percent since the year 2000.

Besides ensuring reasonably priced shelter for all individuals, the roundtable noted that building more affordable housing would provide many benefits for the entire state such as creating new and increased tax revenues, combating the sub-prime crisis, and stimulating the economy.  

Plus affordable, well-placed housing cuts down on absenteeism and job turnover for businesses, creates new jobs for workers, allows seniors to live more independently, and affords families more time with each other through shorter commutes.

Among other initiatives, the Illinois Housing Roundtable is proposing $100 million in the state capital budget to create and preserve affordable housing.  Clearly, more affordable housing would provide benefits for the entire state which should be evaluated as the legislature negotiates a capital budget.

Property Tax Forum March 10

As a reminder, Representative Ron Wait and I have rescheduled our Property Tax Assessment Forum for Monday, March 10 at 7:00 pm in the DeKalb County Farm Bureau Building.  

Chief County Assessment Officer Margaret Whitwell, Township Assessor John Hietikko, Board of Review member Jerry Wahlstrom and County Clerk Sharon Holmes will be on hand.  They plan to explain the assessment process, how assessments affect your tax bill, and answer questions.  The information may help save you time, stress, and perhaps money on your property tax bill next year.