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Pritzker talks about borrowing from the Federal Reserve, budget cuts

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Illinois

* To sum this up, if the Fair Tax fails and President Trump is reelected and/or the Republicans maintain control of the US Senate, and a flat tax hike can’t be achieved by early January, then the state is heading to the Fed’s window…

Illinois, the only U.S. state to borrow from the Federal Reserve, will likely have to tap the central bank again to help close its $4.1 billion deficit if federal aid doesn’t come through and voters reject a ballot measure to raise taxes on the rich, according to Governor J.B. Pritzker.

The cash-strapped state sold $1.2 billion in short-term debt in June to the Fed to help close its fiscal 2020 budget gap. While Pritzker is optimistic that stimulus will arrive at some point and voters next month will approve his signature agenda item to end Illinois’s flat income tax, he’s prepared to use the Fed’s Municipal Liquidity Facility, a lifeline for state and local governments, for a second time.

“If there is no support from the federal government or there’s no fair tax, and so given that situation, we would certainly, for some of that, we would need to go to the MLF borrowing facility, but we would also implement cuts,” Pritzker, a billionaire Democrat, said in an interview. He’s asked state agencies to submit proposals for 5 percent spending cuts this year and another 10 percent for fiscal 2022.

Illinois isn’t alone in its woes. States are facing about a $200 billion revenue shortfall from fiscal 2020 through 2022, according to Moody’s Analytics, but Illinois has little cushion. The state has more than $8 billion of unpaid bills, about $137 billion of unfunded pension liabilities, and its rainy day fund has $858,873. Its borrowing penalty is the highest among states tracked by Bloomberg, with its credit rating only one step above junk.

Thoughts?

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 3:22 am

Comments

Just continue to tax the people into oblivion (including the wealthy). Multiple reports show that it’s not just lower and middle income fleeing the state, but wealthy as well. The overall tax burden in this state is one of the highest anywhere in the country when everything is tallied up from state/local taxes on internet, phone, natural gas, electric etc to the highest property taxes in the nation to being double taxed on gasoline. The state is going to start off by gouging the wealthy, they will leave and then the extortinonists will then go after the middle income.

Comment by Douglas Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 6:04 am
=== Multiple reports show===

Cite please. Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 6:07 am
“He’s asked state agencies to submit proposals for 5 percent spending cuts this year and another 10 percent for fiscal 2022.”

Well… at least he understands reality more than the previous 3 or 4 governors.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 8:00 am
Bring on some cuts. It needs to be a balanced approach. People might be more willing to support additional revenues if they really felt it was shared sacrifice. Until we see approaches other than more taxes, many will vote no. Haven’t seen much polling on whether or not the Governor’s Tax will pass. Until the efforts to fix the problem are more robust, our answer is no regardless of who they want to tax.

Comment by Really Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 8:26 am
=== Until we see approaches other than more taxes, many will vote no.===

We’ll see soon enough with the CA

What cuts are *you* suggesting, be specific.

===our answer===

Speak for yourself. Don’t speak for anyone else.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 8:28 am
Four votes no from our household. That is our answer to the Governor’s Tax increase.

Comment by Really Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 8:50 am
=our answer is no regardless of who they want to tax.=

Do YOU live in Kansas?

WE elected Pritzker vin a landslide.

If what you are saying was accurate, Rauner would be governor and the republicans would be a viable party in Illinois.

The majority of people in Illinois do not want government hollowed out any further. They actually want the opposite. Eevidence? Check the 2018 election results.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 8:51 am
=== That is our answer to the Governor’s Tax increase.===

Narrator: they voted to raise their own taxes to own the libs.

lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 8:52 am
JB covid approach is killing Illinois

Comment by No Mask Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 9:06 am
=== is killing Illinois===

The virus is killing Illinoisans.

I know, money over people, I hear you

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 9:14 am
“People might be more willing to support additional revenues if they really felt it was shared sacrifice

Nope, not going to work that way. Sat through many COGFA hearings on closings. The public and the GOP screamed their heads off about cuts and closings. Nice talking point (like having a spending problem not revenue problem).

Got any other suggestions?

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 9:19 am
When people talk about shared sacrifice what specifically do they mean? Details make a difference, not some catch phrase, generic term.

Comment by A Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 9:22 am
==He’s asked state agencies to submit proposals for 5 percent spending cuts this year and another 10 percent for fiscal 2022.==

Anyone know if he’s only able to ask for cuts from the agencies he controls (e.g., state departments accountable to the Governor’s office/CMS)? Or is he asking all state offices and elected officials, including judges and constitutional officers such as Sec of State and Comptroller, to also cut their budgets too?

Comment by Chatham Resident Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 9:26 am
==If there is no support from the federal government or there’s no fair tax==

If I’m understanding this correctly, if only one of these two things happen there will still be borrowing and cuts?

Comment by Chatham Resident Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 9:28 am
Shared Sacrifice usually means, cut the programs I don’t care about but don’t touch those I do.

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 9:31 am
“He’s asked state agencies to submit proposals for 5 percent spending cuts” Remember the good old days when the Legislature asked Rauner’s department heads what they could cut from the budget and they didn’t have an answer?

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 9:35 am
==Remember the good old days when the Legislature asked Rauner’s department heads what they could cut from the budget and they didn’t have an answer?==

I also remember the days (more like Blago, Quinn era) when “5 percent cuts” seemed like a sigh of relief for your agency. After the likes of two major SOS cuts under Blago (almost in the 15% range for FY04 and FY09), and fears that Quinn would cut worse some years.

Comment by Chatham Resident Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 9:38 am
Thank you to Give Me A Break for clarification.

I’m quite sure that when taxing retirement income comes up, those folks have everyone’s income in mind except the sources of their own.

Always someone else

Comment by A Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 9:40 am
Don’t expect much money from the rich for the next 2 years. Business is not good and losses carry forward

Comment by Reality check Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 9:50 am
=== when taxing retirement income comes up, those folks…===

The Frerichs Tax, taxing retirement income has no 60, no 71, no 30… no 36, no support from any Governor.

Only Mike Frerichs stands tall to taxing retirement income, Frerichs is open to the discussion. Frerichs has said so.

If any people need to worry about it, especially senior voters, it’s Mike Frerichs coming after retirement income.

It’s who Mike Frerichs is

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 9:51 am
Can EDGE grants be paused? Also, is Sears still receiving tax breaks despite their bankruptcy? The State should be looking over every incentive program, scrutinizing every tax forbearance, and auditing every large recipient. The poor should not be shortchanged while tech giants and their allies continue receiving benefits.

Comment by Ares Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 9:53 am
“Business is not good and losses carry forward” Tell that to the Dow Jones and Jeff Bezos.

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 9:55 am
Taxes come from profits. There aren’t much profit in Illinois. I’m just stating the facts

Comment by Reality check Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 9:59 am
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/taxes-best-and-worst-states-125830381.html

Comment by Taxes Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 10:14 am
Above link was before the gas tax increase on 7/1/20. Illinois for the win.

Comment by Taxes Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 10:18 am
- Taxes -

The Illinois Policy Institute is further down the dial.

If you’d like to spam “WalletHub” stuff, they’d appreciate it.

How does Texas, Florida, Alaska, even Nevada, generate state revenue.

Can Illinois replicate how Texas, Florida, Alaska, even Nevada generate tax revenues? Why or why not?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 10:20 am
Interesting that 30 states tax income on a graduated basis and all of those states tax retirement income. Yet, some want to argue that the fair tax wouldn’t be opening the door to taxing retirement. If it walks like a duck…

Comment by PekinKid Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 10:21 am
=== Yet, some want to argue that the fair tax wouldn’t be opening the door to taxing retirement.===

You need 60/71 AND 30/36… AND a governor to sign it… or 71 AND 36 to, again, vote to tax retirement income.

Show me your 60/71, 30/36

The Frerichs Tax, taxing retirement income, is only being talked about by Mike Frerichs, who stands tall to open the discussion.

If you’re afraid of taxing retirement income, the Frerichs Tax, in 2022 vote against Mike Frerichs.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 10:37 am
Implementing cuts is generally speaking a bad idea. The state doesn’t exactly have much fat after downsizing by attrition and we’ve reached a point where a lot of the existing staff is stretched thin, normal workloads have significant delays and back log that are often observed on this blog, DCFS is unable to meet our obligations to the rights of children, our universities are struggling and have tuition set so high that attending several of the state schools is a joke when comparing the trade off of cost to what is actually received for that cost.

Add to that that across the board cuts are a bad thing in general.

Comment by Candy Dogood Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 10:39 am
Government cannot be treated like a business. There is no profit from cutting government spending. All this means is that the State will accomplish less and not be able to meet the needs of the citizenry.

Comment by Huh? Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 10:43 am
=Taxes come from profits. There aren’t much profit in Illinois. I’m just stating the facts=

The president tells a different story.

Taxes com from many things, profits are one of many things taxed. I don’t make a profit, but I am paying taxes.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 10:47 am
I agree that the president paid withholding tax. However, he didn’t pay much income tax because he did not make much income. Same situation here don’t make much income don’t pay very much income tax. And, be well for several years to the pandemic

Comment by Reality check Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:03 am
-How does Texas, Florida, Alaska, even Nevada, generate state revenue.-

It’s not about revenue. Illinois already generates more tax revenue per cap (in the top 5 regardless of which source you use (Wallethub and Kiplinger numbers are not fabricated) than other states.

It’s about spending.

Comment by Taxes Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:03 am
The states listed above, Texas, Nevada, Florida, Alaska… probably don’t have the mysterious disappearing money that Illinois has. Just sayin’

Still want to know exactly where each dollar went to when pension holidays were taken. When the pension funds were dinged, year after year. Not enough to say it paid for all of our needs or covered roads, bridges, etc., or it went to everyone. Where exactly? So when people talk about reluctance for the Fair Tax, some people wonder if it’ll be more disappearing money.

Comment by A Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:08 am
Texas and Florida utilize low taxes and growth economics and there economy is booming which increases tax revenue. Illinois high tax low growth not so much

Comment by Reality check Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:09 am
Regardless of election results we know taxes are going up.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:13 am
=== The states listed above, Texas, Nevada, Florida, Alaska… probably don’t have the mysterious disappearing money that Illinois has. Just sayin’====

Why is that? Just “say it”. Can’t you say it?

=== It’s not about revenue===

It is about the revenue.

Otherwise Rauner wouldn’t have begged for an override, then Rauner spent EVERY DIME… every dime of the new raised tax.

Please keep up, or go get better IPI talking points.

=== Still want to know exactly where each dollar went to when pension holidays were taken.===

Join us in 2020-2021

Unless you have a time machine, your dorm room ignorance here is to make it about pensions, no solutions…

… and I’ve yet to hear what is different about revenue in Texas, Nevada, Florida, Alaska

If Bruce Rauner… Bruce Rauner… spent every dime after a raising in taxes, what exactly do YOU think you know more than him?

“Waste, Fraud, and Abuse”?

Rauner then is the biggest culprit.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:15 am
=== Texas and Florida utilize low taxes===

Where do they get their revenue?

Why can’t Illinois mirror that?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:17 am
Illinois needs to institute a hiring freeze. Leave positions open. Also reopen the capital bill passed this month as I’m sure the projected revenues are now significantly off. Tired of politicians acting like the budget will somehow magically be fixed.

Comment by Chicagonk Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:20 am
=== Taxes come from profits. There aren’t much profit in Illinois. I’m just stating the facts.===
Not a fact. If Illinois was a country it would be 19th in the world for GDP. Illinois the state is filthy rich. Illinois the government is not.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:22 am
“Illinois needs to institute a hiring freeze. Leave positions open.” My unit is the smallest it’s been in the 30 years I’ve been working there.

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:25 am
@Oswego Willy -

I mean, if Ken Griffin is arguing that Illinois should have a Gross Receipts Tax like Florida and Washington, he should just come out from behind the curtain and say it.

Or maybe Rep. Darren Bailey thinks we should rely more on a tax on mineral extraction like Wyoming, Alaska and Texas.

IDK, but I look forward to finding out about it first on Capitolfax should that day come.

Comment by Thomas Paine Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:26 am
“DCFS is unable to meet our obligations to the rights of children”
AJ Freund was brutally killed by his parents, in part because his caseworkers had to stuff a 12 hour day into 8. Yet some think we can make more cuts. Cut where?How many more kids like AJ Freund do you want to read about?

Comment by 17% Solution Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:28 am
State employees per capita circa ‘14:

This article has us 30th. Can’t imagine that number has gone up too much since then? Would love more recent data, but the point is as of 6 years ago there was not that much bloat. And I have a feeling this argument is older than 6 years..

https://www.governing.com/gov-data/public-workforce-salaries/states-most-government-workers-public-employees-by-job-type.html

Comment by JJJJJJJJJJ Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:29 am
=== tax on mineral extraction like Wyoming, Alaska and Texas.===

Oh.

So Texas, as an example, has a revenue stream that maybe Illinois first might not have, or could tap to alleviate the tax burdens on “taxpayers”

Huh.

Wonder why others couldn’t come up with this answer?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:30 am
A - Monday -

Q: What do Nevada residents call tourists?

A: Taxpayers who can’t vote.

Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:39 am
===Would love more recent data, but the point is as of 6 years ago there was not that much bloat. And I have a feeling this argument is older than 6 years.===
Here is something from 2019. Illinois is 44th with the lowest 50.
But the number is all government employees, not just state employees.
https://247wallst.com/special-report/2019/05/08/states-where-the-most-people-work-for-the-government-3

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:49 am
Even though Texas and Florida have low taxes, the economy is doing very well and businesses are making a lot of money. They’re paying lower taxes on higher incomes which equals higher income taxes collections

Comment by Reality check Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:50 am
For Illinois to mirror Texas and Florida, they would have to decrease taxes and put a lid on spending to grow their way out of this debt rather then tax there way out of it. However the debt in Illinois is huge and I don’t see any way out of it

Comment by Reality check Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 12:11 pm
“Even though Texas and Florida have low taxes, the economy is doing very well and businesses are making a lot of money.” So you’re saying taxes have nothing to do with the economy. Ok, got it.

“[…] they would have to decrease taxes and put a lid on spending to grow their way out of this debt rather then tax there way out of it.”
You know what they call that? Supply-side economics. Some Republicans have called that “Voodoo Economics.” You know who tried that and failed miserably? (Besides everybody that is.) Bruce Rauner. You might also look at what happened in Kansas for lessons.

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 12:21 pm
===For Illinois to mirror Texas and Florida, they would have to decrease taxes and put a lid on spending to grow their way out of this debt rather then tax there way out of it.===

LOL… (catches breath)… LOL

Again, explain how Illinois can mirror the revenue streams of Texas and Florida.

You’re ignoring that, why?

Don’t like the answer.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 12:24 pm
Texas and Florida utilize growth economics. They talked about it and economics 101

Comment by Reality check Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 12:26 pm
I agree with you o w. This state may have too much debt even for growth economics. We are in big trouble even if you tax everything the rich have

Comment by Reality check Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 12:40 pm
=== Texas and Florida utilize growth economics.===

Explain. How Texas. And. Florida. Get. Tax. Revenue.

Is there a word you don’t understand? Lemme know.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 12:41 pm
=== This state may have too much debt even for growth economics.===

The debt is more than troublesome, we’re talking taxes, revenue, how states compare.

While I do appreciate where we can see thing the same, or even quibble around the edges, this idea that Florida or Texas are similar in taxing, in both rate and and functionally, that’s comical to the revenues.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 12:44 pm
Even though Texas and Florida don’t have an income tax, they collect all the other same taxes we do. They just collect more because their businesses are doing better then ours in Illinois

Comment by Reality check Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 12:53 pm
=== Even though Texas and Florida don’t have an income tax, they collect all the other same taxes we do. They just collect more because their businesses are doing better then ours in Illinois===

This wholly dishonest, and disingenuous.

Be honest. Where do Texas and Florida get their tax revenues?

Where? Use the google.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 12:55 pm
I’m an accountant o w, maybe you know more than me please share

Comment by Reality check Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 12:59 pm
Borrowing more money from the Fed? That CAN’T be JB’s contingency plan??? If JB is SO certain the “fair tax” is going to solve all of the states problems he should have been telling everyone what doom and gloom scenarios awaited if it doesn’t pass.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 1:02 pm
Gotta learn to use the google key;

“Florida relies more heavily on transaction taxes than most states. Transaction taxes (general and selective sales taxes) account for 83.8 percent of all Florida’s state tax collections, compared to the national average of 47.7 percent (see p. 24).
Florida has the highest state and local selective sales (excise) taxes on utilities in the nation. Florida also taxes motor fuels and alcoholic beverages higher than average, ranking 17th and 21st, respectively”

- Florida Tax Watch

“ The estimated total state revenue for the 2016-2017 biennium is $214 billion dollars. The percentage breakdown for certain line items is: 34% will come from federal funds; 28% will be derived from sales taxes; 8% from licenses, fees, fines and penalties; 2.4% from cigarette, tobacco, and alcohol taxes; and 1.8% from the lottery.”

- The state of Texas budget site

Now, you google Illinois revenue sources.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 1:04 pm
Pritzker mentioned privatizing some public assets at the beginning of his tenure. Why is there no mention of this now? Disbanding the Illinois Sports Facilities Authorities post sale of Guaranteed Rate and Chicago Park District selling Soldier Field should be an option. It frees up the hotel tax revenues and other subsidies (benefits both city and state) too. I don’t see why the public subsidizes these venues and a CBA could be part of the sales process to continue public use in some capacity.

Comment by 1st Ward Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 1:09 pm
==I’m an accountant o w==

Good for you. It should mean you can count. But, by your statements you don’t seem to have a good grasp on that skill.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 1:11 pm
sorry. that was me above

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 1:11 pm
That’s some good information, looks like they get a big chunk from sales taxes. That makes sense because they don’t have an income tax. We already have high sales taxes

Comment by Reality check Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 1:15 pm
=== That’s some good information, looks like they get a big chunk from sales taxes. That makes sense because they don’t have an income tax.===

Who do think… is paying the most sales tax? Floridians?

What industry drives Florida’s economy?

(Sigh)

=== We already have high sales taxes===

Who exactly is paying the Florida sales tax? What industry drones Florida’s economy?

I’d stick with accounting.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 1:20 pm
I don’t count, I read financial statements, and Illinois is not good. OMG it’s the balance sheet for crying out loud

Comment by Reality check Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 1:20 pm
We are behind all 50 states not just Florida. We are one notch above junk we can’t say this it because we don’t collect sales taxes from tourist

Comment by Reality check Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 1:24 pm
=== I read financial statements, and Illinois is not good.===

So, after all that, you’re the angry guy at the end of the bar yelling at the Tee-Vee weatherman?

This isn’t Facebook.

=== it’s the balance sheet for crying out loud===

I’ll tell the bartender to get you your shot and a beer (on me) and leave you to yelling at the Tee-Vee…

(Sigh)

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 1:25 pm
- Reality check -

Sincerely, “good luck”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 1:26 pm
Not angry just what Illinois to do better. Don’t drink but very happy that made the other stuff legal

Comment by Reality check Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 1:34 pm
Texas had about 230M tourists and Illinois had 117 million in 2017. Tourists buy lots of things and add to the bottom line.

Texas had about 30% of its budget from federal funds. Illinois had about 9%.

Not saying we can’t do better, but our path is mostly set. We can’t become Texas since the feds won’t likely give us bunches of cash, nor can we double our visitors anytime soon.

Comment by Jibba Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 1:56 pm
I’ll know Illinois is ready for cuts when we seriously talk about consolidation into larger and more efficient school districts, eliminate townships (and maybe a few counties while we’re at it), and merge some regional universities (just like Pennsylvania is doing now). Otherwise we just keep nickel and diming things to a shell of what responsible state governance entails.

Comment by Our Joe Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 1:56 pm
@Reality Check:

Unless you are planning another mass extinction event, a tax structure like Texas has that relies on extracting dead dinosaurs from the ground is not “growth economics.”

Also, the gross receipts tax like the one in Florida has was blasted by not just the Chamber of Commerce but every business group in Illinois. It is in fact an income tax that is paid at the transaction level. As an accountant, every time you bill a client, 2.5% of what you collect goes to state government, and you pay that even if your firm loses money.

If I sell a washer to someone who uses it to build a bicycle that is sold to a retailer that is sold to someone who uses it to deliver pizzas, the economic growth generated by that washer is taxed four times.

You sure that is the tax system you want?

Comment by Thomas Paine Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 2:09 pm
JB would be well served to appoint an ongoing task force (led by Lt Gov) to examine whether state funds can be spent more effectively, going department by department. Money might be saved or services might be improved. He might even find that more funds need to be spent, but at least he can say he’s examined the issue.

Comment by Jibba Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 2:21 pm
Maybe the public would be more receptive to a change in the income tax structure if:
1. The Property Tax Relief Task Force provided something more than token recommendations that died as a draft.
2.The Pritzker administration didn’t double the pension spiking cap from 3% to 6%.
3. The political class in Springfield wasn’t constantly under federal investigation for some form of kick-backs/patronage/corruption.

That’s even without the questionable cabinet salaries and lack of response related to sexual harassment.

Comment by Rabbit Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 2:39 pm
=JB would be well served to appoint an ongoing task force (led by Lt Gov) to examine whether state funds can be spent more effectively, going department by department.=

This supposes that there is waste lurking in each of these departments just waiting to be discovered. The reality is that state government has been hollowed out for years. It just doesn’t get publicized or the attention it warrants until there’s a complete collapse (see DCFS or IDES as two recent examples). What we need to do is ignore the disingenuous politicians and “common sense” critics who are just absolutely certain that we haven’t cut nearly enough.

Comment by Pundent Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 3:31 pm
“the gross receipts tax” got 0 votes when Blago’s bill came up for a vote. That’s not a metaphorical 0, that’s a literal 0.

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 3:34 pm
We’ve been hearing about budget cuts proposals for months now. When is it going to come to fruition? When are we going to hear what proposals were returned?

Chatham Resident- the other constitutional officers routinely support the governor and cut their budgets the same percentage as his.

Comment by thoughts matter Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 3:38 pm
== Well… at least he understands reality more than the previous 3 or 4 governors ==

Previous Governors also asked the same thing … but never implemented much.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 3:39 pm
==“the gross receipts tax” got 0 votes when Blago’s bill came up for a vote. That’s not a metaphorical 0, that’s a literal 0.==

I remember that day, he who shall not be named called it an “up” day.

Comment by Chatham Resident Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:10 pm
Rabbit - truer words were never spoken. The thing I really don’t get is how some many people on the blog are blind to the complete lack of trust that exists. Do they need more money? Probably, yes. Do I have any faith that they will spend it appropriately? Nope. That being the case, and the fact that taking more money from people is their only solution, why would anyone that doesn’t rely on the government for a loving vote yes.

Comment by Really Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:57 pm
Everyone’s a critic.

Be well, please, wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands.

Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:57 pm
Rely on government for a living

Comment by Really Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:58 pm
=== Do they need more money? Probably, yes. Do I have any faith that they will spend it appropriately? Nope.===

… and yet Democrats running on the Fair Tax won in 2018, including a candidate who ran on it for governor, and won running on it. That’s trust.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:00 pm
=== Rely on government for a living===

Your anger is noted, must not be any clouds to yell at today.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:07 pm
This supposes that there is waste lurking in each of these departments===

Already knowing the state of the workforce, you’ll note that I carefully said he might end up needing more money in places, or might just end up delivering services more efficiently, rather than cheaper. In any case, it is good to have looked, since I prefer not to prejudge any issue.

Comment by Jibba Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:10 pm
5% Cut? Looks like DCFS will take it on the chin again. So much for protecting families.

Comment by Friend of the Family Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:44 pm
Rabbit - truer words were never spoken. The thing I really don’t get is how some many people on the blog are blind to the complete lack of trust that exists. Do they need more money? Probably, yes. Do I have any faith that they will spend it appropriately? Nope

Exactly.
As far as agency cuts, there is room to cut. The problem is the cuts need to be in the Administrative offices where the politically connected are hidden. Pretty sure those cuts won’t happen.

Comment by Southern Dude Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 6:29 pm
What functions of government do we wish to stop? If you want to cut government costs you have to eliminate the entire program. Otherwise, it will grow back from the roots. Those who benefit from the program will keep lobbying for it to expand. It is easier to expand an existing program than to start a new one.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 6:38 pm
If you want to cut government costs you have to eliminate the entire program

Nope. You can trim the Administrative fat in a lot of agencies. Many of the Chiefs and Deputy Directors would be a good place to start. I think the frontline staff is already cut to the bone.
You could save money by eliminating DoIT- it has been nothing short of a disaster. Put the front line staff back in their home agencies. DoIT is funded by chargebacks but you could cut a whole lot of wasted Admin staff.

Comment by Southern Dude Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 7:33 pm
=== You can trim the Administrative fat in a lot of agencies.===

What’s the cost? If it’s that easy and large, how much is that cost?

=== You could save money by eliminating DoIT- it has been nothing short of a disaster.===

What will be the cost savings there? It should be easy to find in the budget?

How will it’s functions be covered?

Oh.

=== Put the front line staff back in their home agencies. ===

Yeah, so will costs be saved?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 7:37 pm
My experience at DCFS did not indicate that there were a lot of unnecessary administrative positions. The problem was more that it was hard to develop good managerial skills in people who rise through the ranks. The state is not good at training managers.

The DOIT issue is a balancing problem. Most IT resources go to maintaining existing systems. It is hard to get resources for upgrades. Larger work groups are slightly better at freeing up resources for upgrades. But if the IT people are too far from the operation their solutions don’t fit the problems. From what I hear, DOIT is too far from the operations.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 9:16 pm
GET A LIFE. You are pedantic, partisan, unconstructive and are generally poisoning this website with your spam. Seriously dude. DO YOU HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE? How sad you must be.

Comment by Seriously Oswego Wlly Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:35 pm
=== I’ll know Illinois is ready for cuts when we seriously talk about consolidation into larger and more efficient school districts, eliminate townships (and maybe a few counties while we’re at it)===
That’s not going to save a thing. The labor to run the government entities will remain the same. 3 townships with 3 people each merged together means one larger township with 9 people running it.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Tuesday, Nov 3, 20 @ 9:58 am
===Get a life.===
Commenting is life. Who told you otherwise? Skip through the ones you don’t want to read. Someone else’s comments don’t affect you. Why be so mean?

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Tuesday, Nov 3, 20 @ 10:00 am