SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – State Senator William Delgado (D-Chicago) is concerned that Governor Quinn has not proposed any solutions to help alleviate the budget deficit facing Illinois. Currently, Illinois is facing nearly 11 percent unemployment levels across the state and more than 50,000 Illinois manufacturing jobs have been eliminated in the past year.  Losses in tax revenue have resulted in a multi-billion dollar deficit to the state.

“In this time of economic crisis and record unemployment, we need to concentrate on proactive measures that will not only provide for short-term recovery, but most importantly look ahead to ensure the long-term fiscal health of the state,” said Delgado.  “To do this, the Senate Democratic Caucus is investing in the people of Illinois through building on our economic strengths and protecting the pocketbook of taxpayers across the state.” 

To lower these unemployment levels, it is imperative that the state focuses on investing in community colleges.  This will allow workers to go back to school to improve their current skills, as well as learn new ones.  In addition, small businesses should be given tax incentives which will promote job growth.  Investing in the people of Illinois through building on economic strengths and protecting the pocketbooks of taxpayers is the only way to put the State of Illinois back on track.

“I am working with my colleagues to find a long-term solution to the current budget situation,” Senator Delgado said.  “My main concern is that I don’t want to see critical social services cut to balance the budget and put social service agencies into the same situation they were faced with last year; shuttering programs and firing staff because we could not pass a state budget.  I will also continue support a property tax swap to fund k-12 education.  This swap will help alleviate the financial burden on property owners.  These are some of the measures we will be putting in place to help people throughout the state.”