State Budget

The other day, I heard on the news that several Illinois soldiers lost their lives in Afghanistan. This sad occurrence has become all too common. I only hope that we will never get used to hearing that the brave men and women who defend our country and its interests have been killed in the line of duty. We need to do everything we can to honor members of the military and to assist them once they become veterans. 

One way we assist our retired soldiers is by providing veterans’ homes that make the waning years of their lives easier and more comfortable. I am proud that we have a veterans’ home here in Southern Illinois in the city of Anna. This modern, well-maintained facility has been open for more than a decade. It has 50 beds and a staff that is qualified to provide nursing care and trained to look after the special needs of veterans. Though residents are required to pay a monthly fee, it is based on their income, ensuring that all veterans have the opportunity to receive the care that they need. Getting these soldiers the care they need at an affordable cost and allowing them to stay close to home in Southern Illinois is the least we can do for the men and women who risked their lives to defend our freedom.

SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) voted for a budget that cuts wasteful spending, increases governmental accountability, and requires the members of the legislature to make significant sacrifices. —they will have to operate more like the private sector."

Under the provisions Kotowski managed to get included in the budget, state agencies must improve the way they deliver services, create and maintain measures of accomplishment and employee performance, and produce yearly reports that will be posted on publicly available websites. The measure will create greater transparency, bringing wasteful practices to light and forcing reform.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville) is pleased with a decision by the Governor’s office to keep the Pere Marquette Illinois Youth Center in Grafton operating. Following a meeting of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability held at the State Capitol in Springfield, Senator Demuzio acknowledged the hard work of the residents of Jersey County for their help in keeping the facility open.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - In response to the General Assembly’s passage of a state, Senate President John Cullerton issued the following statement:

“Today we avoided a shutdown of state government and secured the paychecks of thousands of working people in Illinois. This is not the budget plan that we hoped for. It’s not the plan that Senate Democrats voted for in May. However, it is a plan that can bring some temporary stability and certainty.

Senator Hunter has issued a letter to her constituents in response to numerous inquiries regarding the state’s curren fiscal condition.

Dear Neighbor,

As we embark on the new fiscal year, I would like to take this opportunity to further address the issues surrounding the state’s current financial condition.

A few days before the General Assembly’s scheduled adjournment, I helped pass House Bill 174, a measure aimed at reducing the state’s massive budget deficit. Although this legislation passed the Senate, the House of Representatives has yet to consider it.

[dropcap color=blue cap=T]he legislature came back to Springfield last week just one day before the 2010 fiscal year budget was due hoping to find a fiscally responsible solution. The result was disheartening.

We came and went, solving no problems for the state while many lawmakers seemed content to wait until next year for a state budget.

There are many well-meaning legislators who have tried to act responsibly and support the spending cutbacks and revenue enhancement measures necessary to eliminate our deficit. But there are others who are using this opportunity as a stage to make grandiose speeches, playing politics with our fiscal crisis. Simply put, now is not the time for campaigning and politics as usual. It's a time for governance and leadership.

[dropcap color=blue cap=T]his Spring session, we in the Illinois Senate vowed to put partisan politics aside and to address the concerns of Illinois citizens in a bipartisan manner. The Governor and members of the House and Senate all agreed that we must focus on restoring faith in government, balancing the budget, and passing a capital bill that creates thousands of jobs. I joined my colleagues in the Senate Democratic Caucus and passed legislation addressing all three of these critical issues by the original May 31st adjournment date.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Demonstrating their continued commitment to resolving the state budget crisis, Senate President John Cullerton and House Speaker Michael Madigan are calling a Joint Session of the General Assembly.