State Leaders Continue Game of Roulette

After nearly four weeks, legislative leaders still have not sent the state budget bills to the governor's desk for action.  With this delay, it is very apparent they are playing a game of roulette with the governor to force his signing the bills as presented or enter the new fiscal year on July 1 without spending authority.  As a consequence, citizens can expect state services to deteriorate further and perhaps be interrupted.

In a letter to state agencies on June 11, the governor agreed with my colleagues and me that the budget passed by the majority party creates an unprecedented and unconstitutional deficit.  The Comptroller is already withholding payment of over $2 billion in bills because there is insufficient revenue.  The proposed budget will increase that backlog to nearly $5 billion.

The governor clearly stated the dilemma in his letter that either cuts in staff and services will need to be made or taxes must be increased to fill the hole.  The governor continues to push for more revenue through a series of massive borrowing, stealing balances from dedicated funds and gaming expansion.

Nevertheless, he wrote that agencies should begin reducing services and cutting costs.  Given the magnitude of the fiscal hole, he asked that a hiring freeze be implemented on all non-critical positions and cease all non-essential operating spending.  He called for eliminating programs or functions that do not address key priorities of the state and issues of life, safety or health of Illinoisans.

The governor is not really serious about the cuts or he would have already begun using his authority to set spending priorities and reform ineffective programs.  This is just another game between leaders to achieve their goals; not the interests of citizens.   

Now is the Time for New Leadership

As I travel the district, I am hearing that citizens have had enough of this bickering and gamesmanship from our current legislative leaders and the governor.  It's time for change in Illinois and for our state to seriously address its commitments to workers and citizens; to restore trust in our elected officials and government; and to live within our means.   

Even Comptroller Hynes, a Democrat, said at a meeting I attended recently that Illinois faces a leadership deficit.  Our top three leaders lack the skill and will to bring all parties together, to listen to each other and figure our solutions.

As citizens meet with legislative candidates this summer, they should ask candidates for their plans to change the current impasse in Springfield.  Demand that their first vote--to elect legislative leaders-- will be for people committed to addressing the real issues facing the people of Illinois. 

We can start by enacting a balanced state budget and creating jobs and economic growth.  We can make your tax dollars go farther, improve education and access to affordable health care.  The solution lies in bringing people together to achieve results and empower individuals to reach their dreams.

Supporting a Modest Capital plan

Despite pressure from all sides, House Speaker Madigan is unwilling to pass a capital spending plan which allows the governor to distribute grants and receive positive media attention.  Unless members of his party can change the Speaker's attitude, citizens can expect our roads and infrastructure to continue crumbling around us while our building and construction trades wait for work.

The Senate has passed a $34 billion capital proposal which has grown well beyond the recommendation of former U.S. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and Congressman Glenn Poshard.  Remember that the Build Illinois Program of former Governor George Ryan which was widely criticized as “too extravagant” totaled only $12 billion.

The Senate plan consists of a partial lease of the state lottery, massive expansion of gaming, transfer of motor fuel tax from the Road Fund and other bond authorization.

While I am in strong support of a modest capital bill, I am concerned about the social impact of making gambling more accessible.  We should consider research from the Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems' (ILCAAAP) that a major expansion of gambling in the State of Illinois will lead to more gambling abuse and addiction as well as increased crime to pay for gambling losses.  Any increase in demand for state social services which provide support for gambling addiction would come at a time the governor is threatening to cut their funding.  Even though we may not choose to gamble, all taxpayers would end up paying for the social costs of gambling.

Instead, I support a modest capital spending proposal which would require a smaller revenue source and would continue each year.  The public has a right to expect that governments plan for capital repairs and replacement over time and not to let our buildings, roads and infrastructure deteriorate to the point it must be totally replaced.

Some Provision in the Proposed Budget

Though the budget headed to the governor needs to be trimmed, here are some provisions of the bill that passed the legislature.

• Elementary and secondary education grants will increase by $525 million including $148.5 million for the 23 schools including Hinckley-Big Rock, who are still awaiting construction funding from 2002; $141 million increase in the General State Aid formula to increase the per pupil funding by $225 to a total of $5,959; $115 million increase to fully fund Mandated Categorical programs like special education; and $32 million increase for Early Childhood Education Block Grant.
• $98 million for higher education.
• $620 million for Medicaid and healthcare.
• Underfunds annual pension payment by $450 million.
• Provides the first cost of living increase for many providers in years.

Madigan Proposes Impeachment

While Senate leadership would not allow a vote on the constitutional amendment to recall key state officials, Speaker Madigan seems intent on encouraging impeachment proceedings against the governor.  I don't see this effort being any more successful than the recall amendment.

Speaker Madigan prepared talking points for all House Democratic candidates instructing them to call for impeachment proceedings to investigate the governor.  He also carefully scripted their responses to likely media questions so as not to mention his name or that of his daughter, the Attorney General.

The memo contained three main reasons for the impeachment which include confirmation that the governor is “Public Official A” described in the Tony Rezko indictment papers, his continuous disregard for the constitution and state laws, and distractions from his job due to the numerous legal problems he is facing.

Madigan and his members can talk about impeachment all they want, but it is highly unlikely Senate President Jones will ever let an impeachment vote pass in his chamber.  Undoubtedly Madigan knows this, so the whole exercise is just that – an exercise.

Practicing Online Safety

Representatives from the Attorney General's office presented a very informative program for library personnel at an Internet Safety Forum I held recently at the Sycamore Public Library.  They explained new ways that predators are stealing identities and preying on young children, how to know an online predator, and what to do if children encounter a predator.

Teach children to:

· Never give out personal information

· Tell an authority if they come across something on the internet that makes them feel uncomfortable

· Never meet in person with someone they encounter online

· Do not respond to messages that make them uncomfortable

· Do not pick screen names that give personal information

If you would like to learn more about online safety or have someone from the Attorney General's office address your group, please contact my district office 815-748-3494.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate Celebrations This Summer

Celebrations for the Sesquicentennial of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates have already begun with a reading of the infamous House Divided speech in Springfield last week.  A Grand Opening event for the celebrations will be officially held on July 26 in Bement, Illinois where the two U.S. Senate candidates met to discuss details of the seven debates in 1858.

Ottawa, home of the first debate, will hold many events to commemorate the historical speeches on the weekend of August 22 and 23 including story telling, Lincoln and Douglas' accounts of the debates, artisans, farmers market, vintage fashion show, and a costume ball. The celebrations will surely be a historical education full of fun and adventure. For more information visit www.lincolndouglasreunion.com .

Department of Agriculture Resends Mandatory Premise ID

In case you missed the policy change, the Illinois Department of Agriculture will not require livestock exhibitors to register their farms and animals in order to show at fairs this summer.  Many producers were concerned that the agency was going beyond federal rules to control animal health issues.

A spokesman for the agency said livestock premise identification is voluntary and no mandatory registration is anticipated.

Have a great week and if you see me in your community, stop to say hello and to share your ideas about state government.