Administration Initiates Additional Management Steps to Prepare for Madigan-Cullerton Budget
Steps to Save Additional $420 Million
Cancel Funding for Legislative Earmarks
Freeze Non-Transportation Capital Projects
House Speaker Mike Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and their caucuses two weeks ago finished passing a budget with a $4 billion hole.
Since that time, Speaker Madigan and President Cullerton have refused to pass real, compromise reforms that will grow the economy, pay down the debt and end the era of wasteful spending and broken budgets while implementing parliamentary maneuvers to keep the governor from acting on the budget bills.
In preparation for the possibility of having no budget on July 1, or a budget with a $4 billion hole, the Administration is initiating its second round of steps to responsibly manage the state’s finances. However, the options available to the Administration remain limited because the Madigan-Cullerton budget includes no reforms.
“Governor Rauner has compromised repeatedly, but Speaker Madigan and the politicians he controls continue to block any real reform,” Rauner spokesman Lance Trover said. “It’s deeply troubling to see that Speaker Madigan remains committed to sacrificing the middle class in order to protect the political class.”
More steps will be announced as they are finalized.
Statewide
Action Initiated
· Notify all State of Illinois vendors to prepare for the potential of a longer delay in receiving payments for goods and services provided to the State.
Effective July 1, 2015
· Suspend capital projects, including construction at state facilities, schools and colleges.
· Suspend all capital grants for legislators’ earmarks and non-bonded or “pay as you go” capital projects.
· This freeze does not include road and other Department of Transportation projects.
· Significantly reduce use of outside legal counsel by eliminating and/or reducing legal contracts.
Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Action Initiated
· Reinstate timely re-determinations of Medicaid eligibility.
· Roll back rates for ambulance services and renal care services to SMART-Act levels.
· Reduce managed care capitation rates.
· Discontinue special Medicaid payments to some hospitals.
· Increase eligibility threshold (Determination of Need Score) to a level more consistent with national eligibility levels.
· Achieve cost savings using new procurement strategy for purchasing durable medical equipment.
Department of Natural Resources
Effective September 1, 2015
· Suspend operations at the World Shooting Recreational Complex (WSRC) near Sparta. The site will become closed to the public and not available for events.
o All events scheduled through August 2015, including the Grand American, will not be impacted by this action.
Department of Agriculture
Effective July 1, 2015
· Suspend funding to county fairs for premiums and fairground rehabilitation projects.
· Suspend funding for agricultural extension and 4-H clubs for premiums at agricultural shows.
· Suspend funding for premiums for Agricultural Education Fairs.
· Suspend funding for the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service.
· Suspend funding to the Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority
Effective July 1, 2015
· Suspend funding to Choose Chicago for tourism promotion.
Department of State Police
Effective July 1, 2015
· Suspend FY16 initiative to purchase new forensic equipment.
Office of State Fire Marshal
Effective July 1, 2015
· Suspend funding for the Chicago Fire Department training program.
· Suspend reimbursements for fire department training to other local governments.
· Suspend funding for small fire-fighting and ambulance equipment grants.
Criminal Justice Information Authority
Effective July 1, 2015
· Suspend the following legislative earmarks:
o YouthBuild grants;
o Bullying Prevention grants;
o Franklin County Methamphetamine Pilot Program; and
o South Suburban Major Crimes Taskforce.
· Suspend statewide funding for Operation CeaseFire.
· Suspend funding for Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention grants.
Department of Human Services
Effective July 1, 2015
Suspend funding for Community Services for juvenile delinquency program serving youth and young adults administered by the Chicago Area Project.
Suspend funding for Immigrant Integration Services. Access to the Department’s programs will continue through local offices.
Suspend funding for Welcoming Centers. Access to the Department’s programs will continue through local offices.
Suspend funding for the Youth Employment legislative earmark.
Department of Public Health
Effective July 1, 2015
Suspend funding for Brothers and Sisters United Against HIV.
Suspend funding to the Tobacco Quitline.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Effective July 1, 2015
Reduce funding for state-funded job training programs and suspend funding to legislative earmarks for job training. This does not impact the Department’s federal job training funds.
Suspend funding for all coal programs at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, including discontinuing subsidies to coal companies.
Suspend funding for the Renewable Energy Program. This does not impact the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards program.
Suspend funding for the Energy Efficiency Program.
Department of Transportation
Effective July 1, 2015
· Reduce funding for Amtrak.
· Suspend state add-on payment to PACE.
· Suspend state subsidy for Regional Transportation Authority Reduced Fares grant.
Department of Revenue
Effective July 1, 2015
· Reduce funding for the following housing programs administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority:
o Multifamily Finance Program;
o Reduce Homebuyer Acquisition Rehabilitation Program; and
o Reduce Homeowner Emergency Repair Program.
Department of Veteran’s Affairs
Effective July 1, 2015
· Delay opening of Chicago Veterans’ Home.
June 12, 2015
Please be advised that for the new state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015, payment of bills by the State of Illinois may be delayed beyond current timeframes as a result of the budget bills passed by the General Assembly, which are $4 billion out of balance, in violation of the State’s Constitutional requirement for a balanced budget. Furthermore, these budget bills have not been sent by the General Assembly to the Governor for him to act upon.
Due to the General Assembly’s irresponsible actions, it is also possible state government will start the new fiscal year on July 1, 2015 without a budget in place, which would also lead to increased payment delays. As a result of these current scenarios and without the enactment of a balanced budget, vendors providing goods and services to Illinois should expect longer payment delays.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:41 pm:
“Who” chose these?
Bruce Rauner.
These are owned by Bruce Rauner, not Madigan, not Cullerton.
Rauner cuts. Rauner owns these.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:42 pm:
Bruce Rauner chose to do this on a Friday, after 3 pm too.
lol
- CereusMess - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:43 pm:
My firm sells to the SOI - just got this email from Procurement:
June 12, 2015
Please be advised that for the new state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015, payment of bills by the State of Illinois may be delayed beyond current timeframes as a result of the budget bills passed by the General Assembly, which are $4 billion out of balance, in violation of the State’s Constitutional requirement for a balanced budget. Furthermore, these budget bills have not been sent by the General Assembly to the Governor for him to act upon.
Due to the General Assembly’s irresponsible actions, it is also possible state government will start the new fiscal year on July 1, 2015 without a budget in place, which would also lead to increased payment delays. As a result of these current scenarios and without the enactment of a balanced budget, vendors providing goods and services to Illinois should expect longer payment delays.
I guess the pressure is on for SOI vendors to start getting religion and support the Gov.
- Secret Square - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:46 pm:
“Suspend funding for agricultural extension and 4-H clubs for premiums at agricultural shows. Suspend funding for premiums for Agricultural Education Fairs.”
Does that mean, basically, “no prizes at county 4-H fairs this summer”?
- Precinct Captain - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:47 pm:
==· Delay opening of Chicago Veterans’ Home.==
Interior. 2018. A sound from a television say, “Bruce Rauner hates veterans.”
- Anon - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:48 pm:
Being governor means you’re responsible for nothing.
Great gig.
- Tournaround Agenda - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:49 pm:
“If only you guys had passed real union-busting reforms, I wouldn’t have to cut these coal industry subsidies!” Rauner said with tears in his eyes.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:50 pm:
===the options available to the Administration remain limited because the Madigan-Cullerton budget includes no reforms.===
OK, so if term limits, WC, tort reform, a property tax freeze were all passed, wouldn’t the budget still have a $4 billion hole?
Maybe there is a typo or something, but I think Lance left out the sentence with the Governor promising $4 billion in new taxes.
- railrat - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:52 pm:
hey kids this guy plays hardball wow
- The Dude Abides - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:54 pm:
Did Trover really accuse Madigan of sacrificing the middle class? It is Madigan and other Democrats who are resisting Rauner’s attempts at sacrificing the middle class. I heard Rauner say at a public meeting with the road builders that the middle class workers are being paid too much. What is prevailing wage and right to work all about? It’s about reducing pay for middle class workers. Madigan and others, including some Republicans, are against some of Rauners ideas to fix the state’s finances on the back of middle class people. Trover has to say what his boss tells him to say, but as the Governor likes to say, this is a bunch of baloney.
It doesn’t look like the Rauner administration is going to be moving Illinois forward any time soon.
- 3rd Party Needed - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:54 pm:
47th Ward nails it!
- Cook County Commoner - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:55 pm:
The Chicago Veterans Home wasn’t scheduled to open until mid-2016. Although the project broke ground in the fall, there has been little activity since then due to “contract” issues. Based on the Governor’s press release, I suspect there were no “contract” issues, and construction was already delayed for fiscal reasons.
- Sunshine - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:57 pm:
Closing the holes in the State Budget (Sieve) will be difficult and painful. Perhaps Madigan and Cullerton can make better recommendations?
Sounds like the end of the road for all those years of kicking the can? Who do we blame? The better question might be who are the best people to solve the problem and why don’t they come forward?
- Outsider - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:00 pm:
Just in from OMB
Reference Number: 22036376
Request ID:
Date First Offered 06/12/2015
Title: Governor’s message
Agency Reference Number: 06/12/2015
Agency: OMB - Office of Management and Budget
Purchasing Agency: OMB - Office of Management and Budget
Purchasing Agency SPO: N/A
Status: Published
Overview
Description and Specifications:
June 12, 2015
Please be advised that for the new state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015, payment of bills by the State of Illinois may be delayed beyond current timeframes as a result of the budget bills passed by the General Assembly, which are $4 billion out of balance, in violation of the State’s Constitutional requirement for a balanced budget. Furthermore, these budget bills have not been sent by the General Assembly to the Governor for him to act upon.
Due to the General Assembly’s irresponsible actions, it is also possible state government will start the new fiscal year on July 1, 2015 without a budget in place, which would also lead to increased payment delays. As a result of these current scenarios and without the enactment of a balanced budget, vendors providing goods and services to Illinois should expect longer payment delays.
- DuPage - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:00 pm:
This only saves a small fraction of the revenue lost when the income tax rate went down from 5%, as Rauner specifically requested of the GA. Rauner said he was going to increase spending with the lower tax rate. We can see how that is working out.
I noticed Rauner did not reduce his staff or cut back their record salaries. That tells us what he thinks of the people he will hurt with these cuts.
- walker - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:01 pm:
Predictable.
On the Trover spin: 47th Ward tell the whole story at 3:50 above.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:01 pm:
===Closing the holes in the State Budget (Sieve) will be difficult and painful. Perhaps Madigan and Cullerton can make better recommendations?===
lol, nope. Rauner owns this, it comes with the gig. Rauner is the governor, Rauner made these cuts.
People always remember, they’ll remember the Rauner Cuts.
Hope the GOP GA understand;
They will be stuck with “their” governor, his cuts, then McCarter and McSweeney can vote for that revenue…
No GOP GA member is going to be spared.
- Arsenal - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:02 pm:
==hey kids this guy plays hardball wow==
…with himself…
Legislators will love going around their districts saying, “Bruce Rauner closed our X, and now he’s hand-picked so-and-so, but I’m fighting to get it open again”…
- Langhorne - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:05 pm:
Since the gov does not have actual budget bills, these are just vicious threats, right? If this is what the gov wants to do, wout negotiation on details, why send him a budget at all until there is a deal? Send him the budget and he has a real hog to carve up. Slice and dice w AVs and the rest becomes law.
- Anonymous - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:06 pm:
The Governor needs to detail, with actual dollar amounts, how his reforms would solve the 2016 budget situation, or even make it better.
- Sunshine - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:07 pm:
OW…..thought you were smarter than that…..oh well.
- PJ - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:07 pm:
Touch ‘em all, 47th Ward, you just hit it out of the park.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:08 pm:
- Sunshine -,
Who sent these cuts?
Governors make these decisions. Pretty “simple”
- Skeptic - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:09 pm:
“options available to the Administration remain limited because the Madigan-Cullerton budget includes no reforms.” Mr. Strawman…paging Mr. Strawman….
- Dirty Red - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:09 pm:
= Suspend operations at the World Shooting Recreational Complex (WSRC) near Sparta. The site will become closed to the public and not available for events. =
Gun nuts.
= Suspend funding for agricultural extension and 4-H clubs for premiums at agricultural shows. =
The PTA.
= Suspend reimbursements for fire department training to other local governments. =
The mayors.
= Reduce funding for Amtrak.
Suspend state add-on payment to PACE.
Suspend state subsidy for Regional Transportation Authority Reduced Fares grant. =
The working poor.
= Delay opening of Chicago Veterans’ Home. =
Veterans.
The heat, ladies and gentlemen, is on.
(Unless you’re on LIHEAP and can’t afford the heat anymore.)
Best wishes to the district staffs.
- Anon - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:12 pm:
How does this win any votes?
Unless you’re a total nihilist and lock yourself in the room all day with talk radio, guns, and pelts, these cuts have real impact.
Amtrak — wow.
- There's No Crying in Budgets - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:14 pm:
“Suspend funding for the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service.”
This is federal pass-through money that MUST be disbursed, and I heard that the governor’s staffer screamed at the Ag staffer who told them that, and threatened to fire her, until she cried.
- Horse w/ No Name - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:15 pm:
However, the options available to the Administration remain limited because the Madigan-Cullerton budget includes no reforms.
Yeah, cause term limits fixes this whole thing.
- Anonymous - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:16 pm:
CMS is untouched. That’s odd.
- anon - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:18 pm:
Voters chose Bruce to square away this state, one that has been devastated by MM and JC.
He is doing it.
- The Boy Blunder - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:19 pm:
What we need is moderation. This is, in my view, operating in the extreme.
- Nick Name - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:19 pm:
“This is federal pass-through money that MUST be disbursed, and I heard that the governor’s staffer screamed at the Ag staffer who told them that, and threatened to fire her, until she cried.”
So, illegal cuts and a hostile work environment. Nice.
- Mama - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:19 pm:
“Governor Rauner has compromised repeatedly”
When did he compromise? What did he compromise?
- Anon217 - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:19 pm:
The action at the DNR shooting complex is not aimed at “gun nuts,” but is likely named to put pressure on downstate dem, Rep. Jerry Costello. It is likely that each of these have a legislative target.
- Anonymous - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:20 pm:
This is the second round of a self fulfilling ambition love the 420 reference?
- Langhorne - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:21 pm:
These services lack buoyancy. They are not that part of the state rauner will take steps to keep afloat.
- Dirty Red - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:21 pm:
= The action at the DNR shooting complex is not aimed at “gun nuts,” but is likely named to put pressure on downstate dem, Rep. Jerry Costello. =
Who will be calling Rep. Costello?
- Name Withheld - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:22 pm:
===Voters chose Bruce to square away this state, one that has been devastated by MM and JC.==
No, voters chose Bruce because he wasn’t Pat Quinn. His .05% margin of victory is not a mandate, but that’s been covered elsewhere.
However, since Illinoians seem to like variety, instead of being devastated by MM and JC, we can be devastated by BVR all by himself. Private sector efficiency at its finest.
- Ducky LaMoore - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:24 pm:
It feels like 2008 all over again. But I doubt the governor gets arrested in December.
- Skeptic - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:25 pm:
“vendors providing goods and services to Illinois should expect longer payment delays.” And we should expect some of those vendors to be out of business by next FY.
- Tornadoman - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:29 pm:
Compromise?
Yes, he’s compromised the health & welfare of many people.
- The Equalizer - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:30 pm:
The classic Friday dump. Leadership by press release. Same old stuff as any other governor. Plus “compromise” does not mean what he thinks it means…
- Sangamo Sam - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:31 pm:
I’ve done a quick calculation. If you add up these cuts plus the ones announced earlier, add in right to work zones and a freeze property taxes, then term limits alone will bring at least $1.2 billion into the state coffers. #Raunermaths /s
- Skeptic - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:32 pm:
Sangamo Sam: You forgot the unconstitutional pension reform.
- Norseman - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:32 pm:
Another feckless Friday fraudulent foray into phony budget baloney. (I’m channeling my inner Lance tendencies.)
We have the punitive by suspending Solon Capital projects. We have the bleeding to show the public how the big bad Dems are hurting people. Finally, we have the fact this is all a big political stunt.
As Langhorne touched on, there is no budget at this time. If this was a needed exercise, then Rauner would have to accept the budget or at least enough to render it unbalanced. Anyone actually believe that he’ll do this?
C’mon Gov, you may be able to pull the wool over the eyes of government hating folks, but the “insiders” know this is a cruel political hoax unnecessarily hurting innocent people.
- SouthernILGirl - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:36 pm:
That whole determination of need change — I believe that requires approval from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. Plus, what about all the people who are already in nursing homes with scores above the new “normalized” score? Don’t think he can do that. He can SAY he is going to do it, but I think the feds might want a few words.
- Driving Results - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:36 pm:
Governor Rauner says “You know what this is? This is management and leadership and I can do it all day long.”
Keep it up, Governor! Use the complaints of the free candy eaters as a compass to guide you. The more they whine, the better you are doing for those who have not participated in the design or benefits of the system you are breaking apart.
- Anonymous - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:38 pm:
Have the layoffs happened yet?
- Name Withheld - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:39 pm:
SouthernILGirl - if there’s one thing the governor know how to do - it’s how to deal with nursing homes.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:39 pm:
- Driving Results -,
I thank you. Seriously.
Your homage to Rauner is a reminder;
Rauner does own these decisions. Owns them. They are Rauner’s.
You should thank the Rauner Crew, but they are busy trying to blame MJM and Cullerton…
Are we seeing the disconnect her. Rauner Crew, your supporters are thanking Rauner for the Rauner Cuts, lol
- Big Muddy - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:39 pm:
Cut. More.
Rauner owns it? Good. Some of us did vote for the guy to STOP Illinois from sliding into irrelevance. Tired of all the ways that have led us to where we are. Maybe some of the longtime statehouse folks who frequent these parts don’t like it. I’m good with that. What we have been doing in Springfield for decades must come to an end. Even if OW doesn’t like it or approve.
- WeeblesWobble - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:40 pm:
….The more they whine,the better you are doing for those who have not participated in the design or benefits of the system you are breaking apart.
OH yes you have!
- Amalia - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:41 pm:
Ceasefire. should have happened long ago.
- WeeblesWobble - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:43 pm:
Cut. More…….I’m good with that.
He will eventually get to you!
- SouthernILGirl - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:43 pm:
Name Withheld — you ain’t kidding.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-09-22/nursing-home-neglect-trial-fights-shell-company-transfers
- Driving Results - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:44 pm:
Not thanking him for the cuts. You Springfield insdiers think that small, not me. I am thanking him for the leadership and for standing up to the people that created the horrible problems he was elected to fix.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:46 pm:
- Driving Results -,
They are Rauner Cuts you’re thanking him for, so thanks for that .
- Big Muddy -, aw, I just want to thank you for pointing out Rauner owns the cuts. Rauner is choosing. Rauner chose.
Let Rauner own ‘em.
- Bulldog58 - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:47 pm:
- Driving Results - ” I am thanking him for the leadership”
What leadership? He’s still out campaigning, there is an empty void where the leadership from the Governors Office should be.
- Tournaround Agenda - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:49 pm:
Yup, standing up to the powers that be by pretending his own broken budget doesn’t need a tax hike just as badly as Madigan-Cullerton’s does. You show ‘em, Rauner.
- archimedes - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:51 pm:
According to the release, these actions will save $420 million. So about 10% of the $3 - $4 billion shortfall (for both the Gov’s budget and the GA budget).
The reforms the Governor wants in exchange for more revenue don’t impact the FY16 budget.
I doubt he can find the remaining $3 billion or so. Certainly can’t do it and keep services afloat.
To bad the cuts aren’t itemized as to what they contribute to the $420 million. Is the Medicaid change in score the proposed increase from 27 to 39 for seniors and those with disabilities?
- Almost the Weekend - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:52 pm:
People already writing Rauner’s death sentence. Commenters have been doing this since he opened his listening tour in 2013. Count him out all you want, but he’s been underestimated this long and he’s governor of the fifth most populous in the Union. Not to mention the $30 million he has at his disposal to bypass earned media about the budget and who should be at fault for these cuts.
I hope Cullerton and Madigan are making sure their caucuses are knocking doors, ramping up constituent work, and hosting town halls to fight back.
Because underestimating him the past 24 months or whatever it is, has not worked out well.
- Louis G Atsaves - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:54 pm:
@archimedes, two weeks ago he slashed nearly the same amount as now. Right now the cuts total $840 million dollars. Approximately $3.1 billion to go.
Rauner is calling the legislators bluff here. He shows no signs of caving in.
Time for a strategy rethink.
- Norseman - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 5:01 pm:
=== Rauner is calling the legislators bluff here. He shows no signs of caving in. ===
Louis, how so? Remember, there is no budget and he’s given no indication that he will accept a deficit budget. So these cuts are necessary for what reason?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 5:02 pm:
=== Rauner is calling the legislators bluff here. He shows no signs of caving in. ===
Thanks - Louis G Atsaves -,
This is Rauner, choosing these cuts. Appreciate that.
- Wensicia - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 5:05 pm:
It’s sooo on!
- anon - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 5:06 pm:
47th Ward wins the comment-of-the-day award. Will any reporter ask Lance how all the 5 turnaround “reforms” would balance the state budget?
- Norseman - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 5:10 pm:
=== 47th Ward wins the comment-of-the-day award. Will any reporter ask Lance how all the 5 turnaround “reforms” would balance the state budget? ===
I agree that 47’s comment was good, however, the only answer you’ll get from Lance is a paragraph or two consisting of the standard rhetoric from the Rauner repertoire.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 5:11 pm:
- 47th Ward -, again, nails the story to the board, but - Norseman - , hits the crux of the problem too; no way Rauner’s Crew answers.
- Michelle Flaherty - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 5:29 pm:
Riddle me this: how do you cut a budget that you don’t have?
- Politix - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 5:30 pm:
These actions are counterproductive. The flogging a will continue until Rauner approves.
- Lynn S, - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 12:58 am:
Here’s what’s surprises me about this story: Leslie Munger was out flying around the state talking about what she would and wouldn’t be able to pay after July 1, and I didn’t see that highlighted anywhere on this blog. (Frankly, I expected most folks to respond with “quit campaigning and start governing.”)