State Sen. John Sullivan (D – Rushville) took part in a lively debate Tuesday evening with community leaders and residents in Carthage, Ill., at the first in a series of summer town hall meetings throughout the 47th Senate District.

Sullivan first gave an overview of the 2010 fiscal year budget, the $30 billion capital/jobs bill that lawmakers approved earlier this year, and legislative activity in Springfield. He then invited residents to ask questions and share their views on various issues.

The 2-hour discussion included various topics such as the local effects of recent state budget cuts (especially on mental health providers), legislator pay and furlough days, and the state’s long-term plan to reduce the deficit.

"Town hall meetings give my constituents the opportunity to visit one-on-one with me about issues of importance to them," Sullivan said. "We talked about a number of issues at the state level that really affect people here in Western Illinois. There is no better way for an elected official to find out what people really think about issues than a face-to-face dialogue."