* From Emily Miller at Voices for Illinois Children…
Hi Rich.
I noticed that you posted about the Governor’s projection that his policy agenda would bring an increase in revenue of about $510 million to the state. Given that we are billions in the hole as the result of the loss of revenue from tax cuts and the ever growing backlog of bills, I wonder why his policy agenda gets so much air time when it’s clear that the revenue generated doesn’t come close to what this state needs to even keep the lights on.
That aside, what’s really clear right now, and perhaps what everyone needs to be reminded of, is who is not “winning” right now under anyone’s definition. Here is a small sampling of the ongoing impact of the budget impasse:
* The central office of The Autism Project, which is the largest network of autism service programs, closed on September 30th, leaving virtually no services for children on the autism spectrum who are non-verbal in Illinois.
* 5,458 people, including children, who receive emergency and transitional housing have had their services reduced or eliminated. An additional 2,729 clients will have their services reduced or eliminated if the budget impasse continues through the first quarter of 2016. It’s winter, so while there’s never an ideal time to lose housing and become homeless, winter is probably the worst.
* The Sudden Infant Death Program no longer provides free training for parents, health providers and law enforcement. They receive 4 or 5 requests for safe cribs weekly, but they haven’t had money for safe cribs since September. Meanwhile, the program director has reported that death reports of infants who died in unsafe sleeping environments continue to come in.
* Redeploy Illinois, a DHS program that saves the state millions by diverting youth from incarceration in the Department of Juvenile Justice, is shut down in 23 counties. 6 additional counties are considering closing their operations. Last year, 316 youth were successfully diverted from the DJJ system, so elimination of the program entirely would lead to a roughly 45.6% increase in the DJJ population.
* Even the bills to provide funding patches don’t actually relieve the problem. While domestic violence money got passed in SB2049 and payment for services to date were received, agencies are holding off on rehiring laid off staff because they are not certain about the sustainability of future funding.
We have to start acknowledging that every day that goes by without a budget makes getting to a fully-funded budget even harder. Bills continue to pile up and infrastructure continues to crumble. Voices for Illinois Children certainly hopes leaders can start talking solutions sooner than the Governor has suggested.
- IllinoisBoi - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:29 pm:
Well, cut the $1,700 SIU spent on airplane rides and Mrs. Durbin’s $48,000 annual salary and it all balances out, right?
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:32 pm:
Is it “from farce to tragedy” or “from tragedy to farce?”
Either way, we’re there.
- Formerly Known As... - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:32 pm:
According to Moody’s and Univ of IL IGPA, neither would restoring the tax increase.
Regardless, Emily is right that it is clear who is not ==winning== as casualties of this war between Madigan and Rauner.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:32 pm:
Emily Miller,
Thank you for doing all you do, and to remind me of the very real, very sobering damage being done.
===Given that we are billions in the hole as the result of the loss of revenue from tax cuts and the ever growing backlog of bills, I wonder why his policy agenda gets so much air time when it’s clear that the revenue generated doesn’t come close to what this state needs to even keep the lights on.===
Gracious, that’s restaurant quality.
With my sincere admiration, well done
OW
- Anonin' - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:37 pm:
Btw…it appears the SuperStars continue to bar students from child care services…somone buzz Dunkin’
- Anon221 - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:38 pm:
Thank you Emily for all you and everyone being Rauner-tested are going through. Has there been a consideration of putting together a website showing all that has been lost to date, and what we as part of the Illinois community might be able to help out with? I know Reboot has started a map, but it isn’t complete by a far stretch-
http://www.rebootillinois.com/2016/01/08/top-lists/rebootil/think-the-illinois-budget-crisis-isnt-having-an-effect-then-you-need-to-see-this/51102/
- DuPage Bard - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:38 pm:
Another day another press release. It’s falling on deaf and uncaring ears. Until the signature at the bottom says Diane Rauner, it’s just more useless talk. Obviously the press doesn’t care, obviously the public doesn’t care. Emily Miller, while well intentioned, is fighting windmills.
- Ahoy! - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:40 pm:
I’m sure Emily knows that the Governor does admit that we need more revenue, he just doesn’t want to pass tax increases without reforms to make sure we’re raising taxes while continuing our fiscal madness. Which I personally agree with.
- Wensicia - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:41 pm:
Emily Miller should give the response to Rauner’s upcoming State of the State. Most of what she said above should be included
- Earnest - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:42 pm:
What overwhelms me is that these specific people were chosen for harm in order to motivate the Rauner political agenda. The poor, sick, weak, abused singled out for suffering. I don’t have the words.
If he wanted to pressure, he could have refused to sign the K-12 funding. It’s not like his veto would have been overridden. He could also use incredible amounts of money to make the election a referendum on his agenda. He could compromise and lock in portions of his agenda and keep working on it from there.
But, instead, the chosen populations suffer and our financial hole is getting deeper. I’m rooting for the positive changes divided government can bring, but not with this approach and not with this harm.
- Anon221 - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:42 pm:
Great work Emily. Adding what has been lost/damaged to this map project might help people see the bigger picture-
http://www.rebootillinois.com/2016/01/08/top-lists/rebootil/think-the-illinois-budget-crisis-isnt-having-an-effect-then-you-need-to-see-this/51102/
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:49 pm:
“I fawn on those who give me anything, I yelp at those who refuse, and I set my teeth in (persistent) rascals,”
- Diogenes, seeker of truth and father of Cynicism.
- Formerly Known As... - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:51 pm:
I suggest a $1 for $1 fair trade.
Rauner picks the taxes and fees to increase. Madigan picks the cuts to make.
An equally balanced conference committee or the two of them hammers it out. Both parties put votes on it.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:51 pm:
Is she assuming zero tax increases?
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:53 pm:
The state is spending $33 million more per day than it is bringing in while Rauner holds the budget hostage to get his turnaround agenda that will save $510 million.
His TA savings only cover 15.5 days of the loses incurred. What about the other 350.5 days in this fiscal year?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:54 pm:
Oh - Louis G Atsaves -, LOL…
#TaxHikeMike put the Kabosh on all that revenue increase talk
Boy, I thought Rauner didn’t need revenue… lol
- illini - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:58 pm:
Emily, Thank You for putting real faces on these “hostages”. Oops, I forgot BVR does not have a social agenda.
- cdog - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:59 pm:
Emily, thank you for your tireless efforts, and the timely report of the “patient’s vitals.”
It’s so sad that the man that can fix this, who needs to “man up” and abandon his failed tactic, is tone deaf himself and obviously not genuinely caring enough to help these about whom you speak.
(sidecar, with intentions of alleviating the focus of the post — Any number crunchers have a guess as to a good starting point on the TURNAROUND AGENDA TAX that will be needed to make a dent in $9,000,000,000?)
- Joe M - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:04 pm:
Maybe Rauner’s budget experts need to enroll in some classes at some of those Illinois state universities that they were badmouthing yesterday - and learn something about economics, finance, and accountancy. Because as of now, it doesn’t seem like they have a clue what they are doing - other than plagiarizing from the Koch Brothers national agenda.
- Formerly Known As... - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:07 pm:
==TURNAROUND AGENDA TAX that will be needed to make a dent in $9,000,000,000==
What was it when he came into office? $4,500,000,000?
Wouldn’t that make it the HALFSIES TAX?
- Norseman - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:24 pm:
Louis stepped in that one. No Louis, you’re guy overplayed his hand. There will be no tax hike this year. He’ll have to prove he can put together a budget without one.
- Anon - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:29 pm:
Illinois should take a hint from Colorado and Washington by legalizing marijuana.
- Honeybear - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:39 pm:
Just to pile on. At the DHS office we are swamped, so far underwater that it’s dark. We got clobbered in December. Human need is way way way up. Just saying it’s insane here.
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:53 pm:
==- Dance Band on the Titanic - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:53 pm:==
Magic!
- History Prof - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 3:03 pm:
Quick Question: When does Illinois actually run out of money? Has the comptroller said? We are spending more than last fiscal year with less tax revenue coming in so we ought to be running out shortly. Or is that what the bond sale was about?
Sorry. I’m woefully ignorant about some of these things.
- Southern Illinois Hoopdee - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 3:04 pm:
Even the 5% rate, if left in place, would generate a deficit. Rauner would still have to own cuts. What makes people think that he still wouldn’t make the poor suffer first? Of course he would.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 3:08 pm:
This makes me literally sick to my stomach.
- deadguy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 3:11 pm:
A tax increase and cuts are needed, which is what any rational person understands. The turnaround agenda is just a political sideshow that isn’t worth holding the State hostage for. Even Bruce and his cronies realize this, they just don’t care.
- Mama - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 3:24 pm:
==- History Prof - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 3:03 pm: ==
History Prof - revenue continues to come in. The State will not run out of money, but the revenue is shorter than the bills.
- Blue dog dem - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 9:29 pm:
FKA. Thank you. I would settle for a $4 to $1(tax increase to cost savings). Your post @1:51 was best,most rationale in my 10 months.
- sal-says - Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 4:15 pm:
Still waiting for Bloomie’s or ck’s snarky response. What? There IS NONE?