Gov. Quinn Says He's Going to Cut $1 Billion in Services

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Governor Pat Quinn
Governor Pat Quinn

by Lesley R. Chinn

After vetoing the General Assemblys budget because it failed to make significant cuts in state operations, Gov. Pat Quinn announced his proposal to pass a responsible Tough Choices budget on Tuesday calling for an additional $1 billion in state cuts.

Out of this $1 billion in cuts, the Governor proposed $185 million in cuts from state operations, including a projected 2,600 layoffs and 12 furlough days for state employees.

Other cuts include $140 million from Medicaid and health insurance; $250 million in targeted reductions in grant programs, $125 million from the Department of Corrections; $175 million from proposed increases for K-12 education; $25 million from other state offices, (departments not under the Governor) and $100 million in additional reserves.

Quinn criticized the General Assemblys previous budget saying that it appropriates $3.8 billion to fund state operations. He also said that it fails to adequately cut the cost of state operations, including the budget of the General Assembly, Treasurer, Comptroller, and Secretary of State.

It does not reflect the spirit of shared sacrifice that must prevail throughout our state government, particularly during these harsh economic times, Quinn said in a statement. When it comes to making cuts, we have to make tough choices, not bad choices.

The 50 percent budget that Quinn vetoed also would have created a $9.2 billion funding gap and forced cuts to social services and would have resulted in more than 100,000 job cuts statewide. On July 14, the General Assembly is scheduled to return to Springfield for continued budget discussions.

While Quinn did not return phone calls to discuss why he vetoed the General Assemblys budget, a statement released on his website prior to Tuesdays announcement stated that he would not accept, a partial budget that fails to meet the fundamental needs of the people of Illinois.

For the past three years, the state has gone into overtime in trying to pass a budget. I would love to have a summer [vacation] but I have to go back down to Springfield to give this another try, said State Sen. Rickey Hendon (D-5). Hendon said Quinn, who wants to raise taxes, is being met with the same criticism that former Gov. Rod Blagojevich faced when he refused a tax hike. Every

time [Quinn] makes a compromise, hes being called a flip-flopper, but every time he wants to fight, then hes just like [Rod Blagojevich]. Hes caught in a catch-22, Hendon said.

While the budget remains in crisis mode, Hendon added, We need to fund these programs so these people will not have to suffer. The economy is down and everybody understands that. This is a national phenomenon. So lets step up to the plate, he continued. State Sen. Dale Righter (R-55) chimed in saying that human service providers and families, who depend on state funding, shouldnt have to wait until the 14th to decide whether or not they will be able to access services. He finds it wildly irresponsible for politicians to worry about taking a vacation while those affected

by the budget are being left to twist in the wind.

State Sen. Bill Brady (R-44) said the budget crisis could have been resolved earlier but infighting between Gov. Quinn, House Speaker Michael Madigan, and Senate President John Cullerton has slowed things down. Now were left with an overtime session with no budget, Brady stated. He thinks the budget talks will come down to the wire. I would hope that Quinn would have a plan in place on how he is willing to prioritize the funds that the General Assembly has authorized and make that work for the people of Illinois. If he is going to continue to threaten or holdout for a tax increase, hes doing a disservice to the people, Brady said.

If Quinn fails to pass the budget, Brady added the courts could intervene by forcing the state to pass the budget or the government could shut down services. It shouldnt happen that way, but well see, he said.

While State Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-13) regarded Bradys comments as nothing but free publicity for his upcoming gubernatorial campaign in 2010, he described Quinn as a good man who is well-intentioned in wanting to provide for the people of the state of Illinois. [Quinn] realizes there is a great danger in not generating the necessary revenue to provide the needed services throughout the year, Raoul stated.

Although Raoul said he supports an income tax hike, he wants state funds to not only go towards social services, but to education and property tax relief. He also added that it shouldnt be in the form of a two-year tax hike. It should be a four-year tax hike so that we can make a necessary investment to education. An income tax hike that does not make an investment in our children is unacceptable, he said.

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