Gov. Rauner Responds to State Dems' Proposed Budget
The Ill. House of Representatives Democrats proposed a $36 billion budget for fiscal year 2016 (FY2016) in May in response to Ill. Gov. Bruce Rauner’s “Turnaround” budget released in Feb. that included deep cuts to social services.
In response to the Democrat’s proposed budget, Lance Trover, a spokesman for the Rauner Administration released a statement saying, “[Ill.] House Speaker [Mike] Madigan [Dist. – 22], [Ill. Senate] President Cullerton [Dist.-6] and the politicians they control refuse to act responsibly and reform state government. It is time they come to the table with Governor Rauner to turnaround Illinois.”
Ill. Gov. Bruce Rauner
Ill. House Speaker, Michael Madigan (Dist.-22)
Ill. Senate President, John Cullerton (Dist.- 5)
Illinois Senate Democrat spokeswoman responded by saying, “The plan passed by the General Assembly is a statement of our priorities to provide vital services and invest in the middle class. If the governor shares that goal, then he is invited to work with us to develop a full plan to fund our shared priorities in education, public safety and community services. Unfortunately, today’s actions signal that the governor would rather slash child care, services for troubled youth and senior care rather than work on a bipartisan budget solution.”
Following are state departments and programs that will be affected if a new budget agreement is not reached before the July 1 deadline. The Illinois General Assembly adjourned its spring session on May 31.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Effective Immediately
• Immediate suspension of all future incentive offers to companies for business attraction and retention.
• This includes EDGE Tax Credits, Large Business Attraction Grants, Employer Training Investment Program Incentive Grants and Prime Sites Grants.
• Will defer application approvals for film tax credits and High Impact Business designations.
• All commitments previously made in any of these programs will be honored.
Action Initiated
• Prepare and provide notice for the July 1 suspension of the State Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (SLIHEAP).
• The federal portion of the program, funded at about $170 million, will continue.
Department of Transportation
Effective Immediately
• In light of the state's current fiscal crisis and a lack of sufficient capital resources, the Illiana Expressway will not move forward at this time. As a result, the Illinois Department of Transportation will remove the project from its current multi-year plan. It is the determination of IDOT that the project costs exceed currently available resources. The Department will begin the process of suspending all existing project contracts and procurements.
Action Initiated
• Beginning July 1, the Department will “ground” all state plane passenger service. Planes will be maintained and available for emergency services.
Department of Juvenile Justice
Action Initiated
• Begin the process of identifying one or two juvenile correctional facilities for closure.
• Juvenile system has a surplus of capacity.
• Capacity at approximately 1,200 beds, with less than 700 occupied.
Department of Corrections
Action Initiated
• Begin the process of closing the Hardin County Work Camp.
• Approximately 180 inmates will be moved.
• Approximately 60 Work Camp staff affected.
Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Action Initiated
• Implement an audit review of nursing home reimbursements to ensure payments comply with recently implemented new rate structure.
• Recover overpayments to nursing homes and implement financial penalties for improper billings.
Illinois State Police
Action Initiated
• Immediately freeze all vehicle purchases.
Department on Aging
Action Initiated
• File emergency rules to enact means testing to Aging’s Community Care Program. No income limit currently exists.
• Increase the Determination of Need (DON) Score required to obtain services through Aging’s Community Care Program.
Department of Human Services
Action Initiated
• DHS will pursue cost control strategies through emergency rules to the Childcare Program:
• Increase copays for parents using the program; and
• Freeze intake and create waiting lists.
• DHS will also begin background checks for relatives providing child care. Background checks are currently required for child care licensed centers, group homes and non-relatives who provide care.
Department of Natural Resources
Action Initiated
• The Department will not award Open Space Land Acquisition Development Grants in FY16.
• The Department will begin the process to suspend operations and close the five state museums to visitors. The state will continue to maintain and secure the museums to protect the artifacts and exhibits.
To get the latest updates concerning the status of state department programs visit https://www.illinois.gov/Pages/default.aspx.
To learn more about the Ill. House Democratic budget visit http://www.ilga.gov.
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