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* What is your “pet” state program or project that you absolutely don’t want cut in the budget negotiations?
Please, no snark today.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 10:59 am
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Parks and historic sites.
They cost relatively little, provide good, clean family fun, and support local economies.
They were entrusted to us by people with guts and vision who built this great state — and I’m guessing those folks might have seen some tough times, too.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 11:09 am
My “pet” state program already has been cut.
In Southern Illinois many of us like to hunt and fish. I remember as a kid the state would plant sunflowers and then mow them down. It made great hunting areas for Doves, Quail, and other upland game.
Now the state can’t afford to buy the seed, plant it, or manage those areas. Not an important program to very many people, and in reality not a necessary program, but it was one that I got enjoyment out of.
Comment by Speaking at Will Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 11:13 am
University of Illinois Extension. Local funds generate half of costs and state funds provide the balance under the County Extension Act. This 50% match is the only way that some counties will ever receive youth development programs, nutrition education for folks on food stamps, and education for farmers on environmental regulations and profitability.
Comment by Blogger2 Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 11:14 am
I agree on the parks and historic areas. We have a beautiful state with some great historic sites. The cost to the state may seem like an easy thing to cut, but that totally ignores increased gas, food, supplies sales receipts in those areas.
Plus, visiting Starved Rock, Apple River Canyon, or Carlyle Lake is good for the soul. And Illinois could use some things that are good for the soul.
Comment by Sewanee Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 11:19 am
Medicaid eligibility.
You can’t enjoy the benefits of living in Illinois if you are dead or severely incapacitated because you couldn’t afford care. The feds are believed to be working on universal health care but in the meantime, eligibility for Medicaid should not be cut back.
Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 11:23 am
starved rock. any public integrity units. if they exist…
Comment by bored now Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 11:35 am
John Filan has decided to shut down the Illinois Finance Authority office in Springfield. This agency funds more beginning farmer and other rural and downstate programs than any other agency in the nation. What is Quinn thinking…get rid of blago appointees….not the programs.
Comment by You asked Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 11:39 am
Gifted Ed…
Will be down in Springfield on the 29th to make the case
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 12:09 pm
Capital development programs to repair State buildings, roads and bridges. Funding for school buildings (feel free to cut the salaries of superintedents and school officials who are not teaching in classrooms)
Comment by Ghost Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 12:14 pm
employee contribution from the state for retirement.
Comment by moderate Repub Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 12:20 pm
Definitely parks and historic sites for the reasons wordslinger mentioned. This is the Land of Lincoln. AND Reagan, Grant, Obama, Clinton (H), Wright, Sandburg, Capone, etc. In this economy, our parks and historic sites are ripe for increased attendance.
Comment by Captain Fuzz Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 12:43 pm
Although it was in effect cut years ago:
School Construction
Comment by Amuzing Myself Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 12:54 pm
I think that all items should be on the table.
Private enterprise has been able to perform their business functions for less each year for a number of years Gains in efficiency without loss of functionality are the first step. Consolidation is the next step toward a lean enterprise.
Comment by Plutocrat03 Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 12:58 pm
RICH - password not working on the new post.
Comment by Hon. Cranial Lamb (formerly carbon deforestation, formerly . . .) Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:03 pm
Yes it is. Just checked it. This week’s not last week’s. Email me if you need help.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:05 pm
The research surveys. (Geological, Natural History, Water, HWRIC) These are unique and valuable resources to our state and provide economically and environmentally useful information. They keep getting cut and shuffled around.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:18 pm
My vote is also State Parks and historic sites.
Comment by Maggiemae Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:25 pm
ditto state parks and historic sites
Comment by Captain Flume Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:47 pm
If special education funding is considered a “pet project” that’s my vote. But is it federally mandated to some degree. . .so my backup vote is the Lincoln and Reagan historical sites.
Comment by Jake from Bellwood Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:58 pm
Illinois Entrepreneurship Network: PTACs, SBDCs, ECs, NOCs and ITCs, all working to help businesses produce jobs.
Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:00 pm
DNR, they’ve taken too many hits already.
Comment by tubbfan Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:05 pm
Illinois Film Office. Low-key, more than self-supporting, gives our fine state positive exposure world-wide, and short of turning the task over to Dirty Harry Kirk, may be the best potential vehicle for getting Century Club Ken Dunkin out of the GA.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:14 pm
My favorite “pet” program is Dan Hynes’ “Open book” website where we can easily track contributions of state contractors. Not sure if it needs much $ to be maintained or operated, but I think it’s a great anti-corruption tool.
I figured out my password issue - it was a browser / cookie problem. Apologies for the 2nd time this week.
Comment by Hon. Cranial Lamb (formerly carbon deforestation, formerly . . .) Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:00 pm
Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program: The first thing people give up when they are uninsured and/or unemployed are preventive health screenings - yet this program can save your life. We already have a situation where African American women die at twice the rate of others in the state from breast cancer. We don’t need to make the situation worse by paying these providers slowly or cutting this program. This one should be fully funded and funded in the correct line at IDPH without transfers from other agencies or other prior administration budget gimmickry. Also, we should not cut back on healthcare eligibility in general. It would be pennywise but pound foolish and everyone would pay the price.
Comment by chicagoan Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:09 pm
Through my job I have the honor and pleasure of working with people from the U of I Extension, the DNR, the soil and water conservation districts, and the research surveys. All of these groups and their programs are relatively low-cost and pay dividends for decades after they are implemented.
One of these is the water resource planning going on in NE Illinois and central Illinois, one of the few projects initiated by the ex-governor that was actually worthwhile and cost-effective.
Comment by Lefty Lefty Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:36 pm
I do not want to cut any funds for projects that support having open primaries.
I do not want any programs or projects cut wihout every elected official taking a 2% cut in pay and benefits for each of the cuts.
Comment by Chanson Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:44 pm
Historic Sites.
Comment by lincolnlover Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:53 pm
DNR, state parks and historic sights. I wish I was running the department-I’d have every one of ‘em making money.
Comment by PR Strategy Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 4:58 pm
Maintenance for state owned buildings, with funding at the facility level, agency level and CDB for large projects. Nothing has been done for almost 10 years, and buildings are simply falling apart, especially those used 24/7 (DHS, VA, DOC)
Comment by In the Sticks Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 6:28 pm
Please Please
Don’t cut any IDOT Funds
The Career Worker Bee’s
Deserve so much / as they were
Picked on and threatened by
Gov Rod . Mr. Filan and Tim Martin
Congratulations to those dedicated
employees who have used PERSEVERANCE
as their Motto
The Public can’t Thank You enough !!!!
Comment by grategul Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 7:44 pm
Pension payments - the State should have to fund the pension system like any private business would. Pay the required rate, or the Feds take it over and take the $$.
Comment by Smitty Irving Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 8:10 pm