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* Letter to the editor…
Dear Editor:
As the General Assembly gathers in Springfield later this month to attempt to pass a state budget, there may be proposals to muddle through with yet another “stopgap” budget. We strongly oppose such a move.
First, a stopgap budget – which provides limited funding for a few “essential” government services – will not end our state’s financial tailspin. Despite previous stopgap measures, ratings agencies have downgraded Illinois’ financial status to near “junk-bond” levels, causing taxpayers to pay much higher interest rates for any necessary borrowing. Another stopgap bill will undoubtedly drop us into junk territory, while doing little to stop our growing budget deficit and backlog of bills from reaching record levels.
Second, a stopgap bill will fail to address the inadequate level of dependable funding that has put many of our state’s vital services at risk. It will not stop more social service agencies from closing or from curtailing their provision of state services in areas from childcare to mental health and anti-addiction programs. It will not allay growing concerns from job-creators that Illinois continues to be unstable, which negatively affects economic growth. Our state universities will continue to lay off faculty and staff while more students leave the state or for those who need assistance, will be forced to forgo a higher education. And school districts across Illinois will struggle to open their doors when the new school year starts in a few months, which is why nearly 300 district superintendents are opposed to a stopgap budget.
The only answer to this crisis is for the General Assembly to pass – and the Governor to sign – a balanced, full-year budget that fully funds our vital services, adopts important reforms, and puts state finances back on track. The Senate has passed a budget plan with spending cuts, revenues and reforms. Recently, Senate and House Republicans have put forward their own budget proposal, which also embraces spending cuts, the revenue increases included in the Senate bill and reforms.
The answer to the budget impasse is not another stopgap budget, which merely puts off the hard decisions while state finances continue to collapse. The answer is to forge a compromise that balances, reforms, and ultimately moves Illinois forward. Anything less, including yet another stopgap measure, is a recipe for continued financial chaos and the human misery that results.
Signed,
Sen. Toi Hutchinson, Sen. Andy Manar, Sen. Heather Steans, Sen. Donne Trotter, Sen. Pam Althoff, Sen. Dale Righter and Rep. Kelly Cassidy
Althoff and Righter are both Republicans. The rest are Democrats. All are involved in the budget-making process.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:37 pm
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More letters? Hmm. This General Assembly sure is good at issuing edicts, proclamations, and good intentions.
Not so good at actually getting things done though.
Comment by Deft Wing Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:43 pm
This is a message from rank and file to leadership. They are sick and tired of watching Rome burn.
Recently a friend from out of state sent me the Bloomberg bankruptcy article and said they hoped we wouldn’t be another Puerto Rico or Detroit. I explained that there’s one HUGE difference. Those entities were limited in their ability to solve their problems and much of the damage was caused by factors outside of their control. The debacle in Illinois is 100% POLITICIAN MADE and can easily be solved if people would act like grownups. This letter is begging for Rauner/Madigan to act like grownups. NOW please.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:48 pm
At this point, if we’re going to do a full budget, might as well make it a 2 year one.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:49 pm
Why bother with these letters? Like the AFSCME letter? Signed by “concerned” Rs?
Little late to the party, that. And here, too. Come on: the Rs know — know — that when it comes time to punch the buttons they’ll only punch the button Rauner tells them to punch.
The worst thing in Springfield isn’t the lack of a budget. It’s Rauner’s money. That’s the corruption.
Comment by Mr. K. Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:50 pm
===More letters? Hmm. This General Assembly sure is good at issuing edicts, proclamations, and good intentions.
Not so good at actually getting things done though.===
When the governor undercuts his own Senate Leader’s attempt to get a compromise, it’s tough to see where your own logic lies.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:52 pm
So they’ll go all in? Schools don’t open in fall without a complete budget?
The letter is silent on that.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:53 pm
Whatever it ends up being, Rauner wants 100% of his agenda. No compromises, consensus or benefits to the evil Chicagoans!
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:56 pm
Good for them for standing up and having some backbone. It is never too later if it is not signed, sealed and delivered!
Comment by Tier 1 Gal Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:58 pm
Assuming the special session fails, can the votes be rounded up for an austerity budget based on $32 billion in GRF?
Jerry Brown kinda took this approach in California…showed the voters the realities of a budget without new revenue for a year and used that to build support for a tax increase the next year.
Comment by B.C. Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:00 pm
I find it interesting that Rep Cassidy signed a letter stating that the Senate and House Republicans have submitted plans pointedly showing who hasn’t. Good for her-maybe there is hope after all…..ok…I got ahead of myself but maybe the light at the end of tunnel doesn’t have to be an oncoming train.
Comment by OurMagician Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:01 pm
If General Assembly production was only measured by stern letters, this legislature would be killing it!
Comment by Deft Wing Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:02 pm
Righter is my Senator, trust me, he’ll do as he’s told by Rauner. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least to find out that he got Rauner’s okie dokie to sign this letter.
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:05 pm
===General Assembly production was only measured by stern letters, this legislature would be killing it===
Goldberg is the letter/memo king.
When Rauner stops undercutting compromise, then you might get more than letters.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:12 pm
To Chicago Cynic to say that Senator Heather Steans is a member of the rank and file among the Senate Democrats seems absurd. Currently, she chairs the Appropriations I Committee, chairs the Special Committee on Oversight of Medicaid Managed Care, vice chairs the Appropriations II Committee and serves on the Executive Committee.
While it can be formally argued that Sen Steans is not part of the elected Democrat leadership its hard to believe that she does not carry more actual weight than lets say Sen Bill Haine from Alton or Sen Clayborne from East St Louis within the caucus. Part of the leadership selection process has to do with statewide representation of the party inclusive of ethnic and racial groups.
Comment by Rod Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:19 pm
Shorter version:
“We the undersigned, well aware of how bad things are, hope to do our job … maybe.”
Comment by Lance Mannion Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:21 pm
Better, honest version:
“We the undersigned, well aware of how bad things are, hope to do our job, if Rauner would stop blowing up compromises and accept 90% wins too … maybe.”
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:24 pm
Aren’t these legislators merely following Rep Drury’s lead from two years ago when he railed against the “stop-gap budget heroin”. Rep Drury seems to be the leader the Dems are looking for. To paraphrase Oswego Willy- Governors Lead- And these legislators are certainly following Drury’s lead here. Interesting times.
Comment by 'Swingvoter Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:25 pm
===two years ago when he railed against the “stop-gap budget heroin”===
Yeah, but then he voted for one, IIRC.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:27 pm
University employee at3:05 you are spot on I thought that he may be in need of medical attention.
Comment by jw Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:29 pm
They (R’s and D’s) are not voting for an income tax hike, no matter what Madigan or Rauner say. The impasse will continue until the feds are forced to take over.
Comment by KAY-ro Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:47 pm
I wish the letter was worth the paper it was written on.
Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:59 pm
This is what we need! Stick to your guns and end this thing. We can’t avoid the medicine any longer.
Comment by doggonit Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 4:01 pm
No Sue Scherer on this stern letter? I. Am. Shocked.
Comment by Lance Mannion Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 4:01 pm
@wordslinger
Steans assured me she wouldn’t vote for a K-12 carve out.
Comment by Blue Bayou Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 4:03 pm
== showed the voters the realities of a budget without new revenue for a year and used that to build support for a tax increase the next year. ==
That’s assuming your goal is a budget and a tax increase.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 4:13 pm
Letters are fine. Buttons mean more.
Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 4:17 pm
=when it comes time to punch the buttons they’ll only punch the button Rauner tells them to punch.== Althoff is not running for re-election. That gives her a little bit of freedom to speak (and vote) her conscience.
Comment by SAP Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 4:30 pm
The Senate Dem’s so-called balance budget plan is billions short of actually being balanced. To accept that as the comprehensive solution to the state’s financial problems is a bad deal–it locks in structural deficits for years to come with their Rauner lite plan. Better to pass federal funds and other state funds budgets then hope Rauner signs a tax increase that doesn’t solve the problem.
Comment by anon Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 4:31 pm
Human Services can’t survive if they pass another stop-gap.
Comment by Kyle Hillman Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 4:37 pm
==nearly 300 district superintendents are opposed to a stopgap budget==
It is very risky to believe things cannot get even worse for schools: NO budget for K-12.
Comment by winners and losers Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 4:42 pm
No school funding would not be an immediate death knell for at least some school districts. District 186 (Springfield) could limp through the first semester. Looks like it would create a steady stream of dying hostages rather than a simultaneous annihilation. http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170619/gill-without-state-budget-no-money-for-schools-by-January
Comment by SAP Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 4:51 pm
@SAP is correct. Most schools would open in the fall.
Maybe 90% or more. Property tax money is starting to flow now. Maybe a late Q4 MCAT payment.
Maybe 95%. Some schools borrowed against their property tax money.
Still, do the ILGA members have the stones to stand up to the parents of the 5% to 10% that cannot open?
Can they take the heat as large numbers begin to close after the first quarter ends in early October?
We may find out…
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 6:37 pm
Some of these comments are really interesting.
1. An austerity budget is what we already have. 90 percent of our spending is on autopilot. The resulting carnage is what happens without the money. People who refuse to see that are being willfully ignorant.
2. At the for the Dems, every one of them on this letter has continually said that they expected their bills to be debated and amended in the House in order to get a fully bipartisan package to the Governor once it went thru the process. Instead, Rauner pulled votes off and Madigan refused to call any of them.
3. Following Drury? What bill of import has Drury EVER carried and passed? The only thing we know about him is that he refused to vote for the Speaker with no one running against the speaker and that he’s a former prosecutor which he begins every sentence with. Each one of the Dems on this letter filed actual bills, negotiated them, passed them in their chamber, took political heat and owned it. You may not agree with it, but who the hell else has done that??
And even to this point, they still put their names on a letter with Republican colleagues because they are STILL WORKING.
3. Righter and Althoff? What? Crickets. Not surprised they won’t vote for a stop gap. They don’t vote for anything anyway. Their NO’s significantly outweigh their yeses on these impasse bills. However, its good to see them sign on because a stop gap only prolongs this politically manufactured ridiculousness.
4. Kelly Cassidy? Good on her. Easy to do things in groups. Much harder to stand alone on your principles, especially in this environment.
Easy to take pot shots when you aren’t in the arena. And we would do well to stop lumping every single legislator in with the whole group. We’ve got some standouts.
Comment by Sideline Watcher Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 6:37 pm
When I say who the hell else has done that, I mean on an actual budget. The actual thing that would end this. Lot of legislators passed bills. I’m only referring to the most important 3 bills we need, appropriations, revenue, bimp. That’s the budget.
Comment by Sideline Watcher Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 6:42 pm