Funding Impasse Continues

Governor Blagojevich made a rare trip to Springfield on Monday to attempt to broker a budget deal with the legislature, but had no success. In a Chicago Tribune article dated May 29, 2007 the Governor was critical of House Speaker Madigan and fellow representatives for what he called their in-action on a budget he could support. The Governor continues to push for increased health care benefits and the representatives seem to support school funding. Stakes will rise dramatically if there is no agreement by Thursday, May 31st which is the scheduled day for the legislature to adjourn. After that time the Democrats will need the help of the Republicans to pass any budget measure.

James Broadway, in an editorial piece in the May 29th issue of the State School News Service, says there are two barriers to fiscal responsibility in Illinois. The first is Senate President Emil Jones who has one final chance to rehabilitate a once distinguished career by representing his constituents instead of big business. The second is the Republican members of the General Assembly who now have a chance to surmount partisan politics and play a role as problem solvers by developing responsible public policy.

As Governor Blagojevich has said, a status quo budget is a “do-harm” budget!