Springfield Update

Budget hearings are currently being held across the state by Speaker Madigan to gather input from citizens about the FY 09 budget. This is taking place while the Legislature is on recess until April 1st. They left town last weekend after only working for 15 days since January 1st. When they return, the race to adjournment on May 29 will begin. Few people believe that this adjournment date will be met. The rest of the session will promise to provide great entertainment should the Governor choose to participate. Everyone will be asking the same question: Where will the money come from? There is no easy answer to this question even in an election year. State finances are very bleak and the debt level is sky high. The current general economic malaise may slow done projected revenue growth for the foreseeable future. Medicaid payments and pension payments are climbing fast!

Legislators will have a hard time this year due to their past financial decisions and will be looking for a way to pay for these many budget obligations, while seeking to make themselves look good for their electorate. Tax hikes are never popular and the expansion of gambling is not without problems. Programs and services have been devastated by previous budgets and cuts and further cuts seem to be impossible to sell as a solution to this crisis. Maybe it is time, as Paul Green stated recently, for our elected officials to lead and fulfill their obligations to the people of Illinois! What do you think?