This 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. By now, it is widely known that Illinois is facing an unprecedented budget deficit crisis.After years of frustration and inaction, Democrats and Republicans in both chambers joined forces to pass a comprehensive capital plan worth roughly $30 billion. This is certainly the most telling example of our renewed bipartisanship in the General Assembly. This capital bill that would create hundreds of thousands of jobs and address infrastructure needs in every community across the State sits waiting for Governor Quinn’s signature. Unfortunately, the Governor has decided to use the comprehensive capital program as a political tool, refusing to sign the bill until a budget solution has been passed. And while he waits, the state’s unemployment rate continues to climb. Simply put, the capital bill must be signed now.

By now, it is widely known that Illinois is facing an unprecedented budget deficit crisis. As has been reported, if a solution is not found regarding the Fiscal Year 2010 budget, draconian cuts by the Governor will need to be made: ending child care assistance and daycare services for thousands of children; slashing all state funding for Child Advocacy Centers that serve abused children; eliminating healthcare for thousands of children, seniors and people with disabilities; reducing services to women and children who are the victims of domestic violence and sexual assault; cutting tens of thousands of teacher positions across the state; forcing thousands of young men and women to drop out of college due to huge reductions in the MAP grant program; and cutting funding for The Autism Program of Illinois, leaving thousands of families without quality care. The list of cuts goes on and on. There is no question that if we fail to pass a balanced budget, the resulting cuts will pose an extreme hardship on adults and children across our state.

To avoid this "Doomsday," the Senate Democratic Caucus in late May passed the only balanced budget solution to pass either chamber. House Bill 174 generates over $5 billion in new revenue, doubles the state’s property tax credit providing real property tax relief, allows for the full funding of our state pensions, and includes important education reforms. The plan still requires that we find responsible, strategic cuts totaling more than $1 billion. This was not an easy vote to take, but it was the right vote. The Senate Democratic Caucus exercised true leadership in providing an answer to the budget deficit crisis, and we ask the House of Representatives and the Governor to join us in supporting this responsible solution.

I am proud that the Senate Democratic Caucus has demonstrated leadership throughout this legislative session. While we certainly don't have a monopoly on solutions for our state’s problems, we urge other leaders to either join with us in our responsible approach or provide solutions of their own. If we don't work together toward a real budget solution, the result will be budget cuts that hurt people across the state, and increased costs in the long run from cutting essential programs and human services.

In times of crisis, we must come together in a spirit of shared sacrifice to ensure that our state remains fiscally sound and is able to provide the services that our citizens need and deserve.