It's showdown time in Springfield.
Governor Blagojevich Wednesday called state Legislators back to Springfield for a special session July 9th and 10th to deal with a budget that could be as much as $2 billion out of whack.
Blagojevich wants House Speaker Michael Madigan to move several spending measures that House Democrats are already on record opposing, including a capital bill. Blagojevich has tried to get Madigan to the table, to discuss ways to fill the $2 billion hole, but Madigan's been a no show. That was a mistake.
But Blagojevich didn't help matters Wednesday by accusing Madigan of plotting for a secret tax increase after the November election.
What we need now are grown-ups, who can not only talk to each other but talk to each other respectfully. Otherwise, we can all expect more of the same. In this case, that means Blagojevich will have to resort to $1.5 billion in cuts on July 10th.
At risk is nearly $2 billion that would fund social services, health care, public safety, economic development, transit and services for veterans and seniors.
Is that really what we want?
This blog brought to you by the Sun-Times editorial board (click on names to read bios):
The governor has elected not to call for the Legislature to consider legislation that would allow the state to issue $16 billion in pension obligation bonds. Some of the money to close the alleged budget hole (some weeks it's $1.5 billion, some weeks it's $2 billion) was to come from that. The other reveune proposals are to sell/lease the state lottery (a long term state asset to pay for short term spending) and to sweep dedicated state funds. Much of the spending above last year's levels is for new programs and initiatives. Given the tough economic times, why not realize, like a private household, we cannot afford to live beyond our means? The House, you may recall, passed a flat budget; the Senate could yet do the same and then there would be no need for "cuts."
The major responsibility of the Legislature is to put together the balanced budget before the end of the fiscal year. Now, for the second year in a row they have failed to do so, and the taxpayers are hit again for overtime pay for both houses and their staff. We should not be paying a dime for any overtime sessions that are a result of the Legislature's inability or stubborness to complete their job. We should not be paying for Blogo to travel back and forth to Springfield, since it is his choice to live in Chicago. Commuting mileage is not tax-deductable nor should it be reimbursed. I know this is a drop in the bucket, but it would be a start. Leadership and example comes from the top. Let's start expecting that from our elected officials.
I have been working for the State of IL Dept of Human Services for over two years. I administer benefits such as Medicaid and food stamps to our most vulnerable citizens and their children. I am proud to serve as a civil servant. What I have seen, experienced, and learned about IL state government in the past two years, personally and from talking to my co-workers is honestly horrifying. The downward spiral seemed to start under Gov. Ryan (now in JAIL) about 5-7 years ago (do you know that management, not in the union, has not had a raise for that long?? True. They are trying to get in our union now.), and has escalated in its spiral into an abyss with the current governor.
Right now, for the first time in the history of IL, we state employees have no contract in this new fiscal year, which began 7/1/08. So, in addition to no state budget being passed on that date (which means we may not get paid for our work, at least not on time, SAME AS LAST YEAR), the employees have no agreed-upon new contract. What does that mean? Our union has been negotiating with the governor's team for OVER SEVEN MONTHS, and they are still far apart. We have agreed to extend the last contract for a short time, until the next round of negotiations but after that anything could happen, including leading to the crumbling of state agencies affecting most people of IL in some way. What agencies? Mine which is DHS (people depend on the food and medicine we pay for), IDES (unemployment), DCFS (children and family services), 24/7 mental health facilities, Corrections, IL EPA, are just a few.
Already, the state is vastly understaffed, with most of us doing the jobs of 2-3 people, and the buildings are run-down, unpainted, dirty, and neglected (one building in Chicago was actually condemned!). I care much about customer service and these working conditions have been appalling to me.
I have seen very little coverage in the SunTimes and Chicago media of these things, including coverage of our huge rally in Springfield just over a week ago.
What I have seen coverage on is the SunTimes presenting the business' executives point of view as news, including a story "State's Money Mess: State Workers To Give Back" in the 6/2/08 Metro section. This was a huge headline, presenting a letter from biz execs such as the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, and others, to which the Sun Times referred as "Civic Leaders." Excuse me, let's be honest. These are very wealthy retired business men. What ever happened to neutral news reporting??
The state of IL is second in having the most per capita debt in the country. It was $8,800 per person several months ago. Clearly the state and its "leaders" need to raise more revenue quickly (cutting will be a fiasco, it's already on a shoestring believe me), and pressuring the state workers to "GIVE BACK" is like kicking us while we're down. We did not create this deficit and budget mess. We don't make tons of money and need our pensions and health care. The governor is trying to make us pay so much more toward health care that it would cancel out any raises over the next four years.
I am against any casinos, or leasing the lottery both of which I believe to be short-sighted and beg for even MORE CORRUPTION. How the state raises its money is what we are paying the elected officials to decide. I really hope they get around to the business of doing their jobs, in this not 11th hour, but honestly 13TH HOUR. Please get it together!!
"Among the items Blagojevich suggested were a hiring freeze, stopping all "non essential" state spending and ending programs that "do not address key priorities of the state."
Taken from Chicago Tribune story June 14, 2008 Governor likely to trim, sign budget package
Is saving our kids lives a key state priority?
Friends, my sources in the Governor's office indicate that the restoration of Ceasefire funding is a part of the pending state budget to take effect July 1st, provided that the Governor does not cut the funds again. Now is the time for all those major media outlets that raised their voices when Ceasefire's funds were originally cut to immediately raise them again BEFORE the Governor starts making these July 1st deadline cuts.
With all due respect to the good people who are receiving funding from the Governor's new Safety Net program, the challenges our inner city youth face this summer require all those efforts. I have repeatedly pointed out that a majority of the inner city youth that have been seriously hurt and killed this year are from areas that were once covered by full time Ceasefire intervention workers. We MUST challenge the Governor to recognize the importance of providing every resource that we can to help intervene and prevent violence and death this summer, versus rally after rally, march after march, vigil after vigil. We must have rallies celebrating how many lives we save this summer versus how will be lost to senseless acts of violence.
The only thing through the Gov. budget is to provide more government that will cost us the tax payers more money, there is no one on either side of the aisle that is looking out for us the working people of this great state of Illinois. In addition there is no leadership at all from any of our law makers here in Will County paticularly McGuire and Holmes, these are over paid do nothing politicians. The Eagles are on there way !
Are we surprised that there is no relief for the average tax payer. I government is doing business as usual which means taking care of themselves first and formost. The tax payer must wait, pay, and wait some more before anything is done. Come election day we will see if we are tired of business as usual or if Springfield and all of the powers that be need to be replaced. But wait, we can only replace a few at a time. Who should that BE?
My name is frank Wallace. I am a recovering alcoholic/addict. In March of 2006 I entered Haymarket House after 25 years of substance abuse issues. That was the last time I put any mind or mood altering substances in my body. Since then I have returned to College, recently walking in a graduation ceremony receiving an advanced certificate in addictions. I am currently attending Harold Washington College pursuing my associate’s degree and I am planning on transferring to National Louis University next fall to obtain my bachelors in behavioral Science. Without Haymarket and the programs that they offer, I would still be suffering from the demoralizing condition called addiction. I implore you to stand up for programs like Haymarket. Without them we the suffering addicts of the world would have literally no place to turn. Take it from an ex-addict, we will, and do, resort to any means to get our "Fix" including criminal activities against innocent victims. We have lost our choice in the matter. The drugs dictate's for us. I know that I have done wrong and take responsibility for those wrongs, however Haymarket gave me back the option to choose a better way and I am forever grateful. That is why I have chosen to take up working as an addictions counselor. To help the next person seeking help and to show them the way out. The only problem is that I am looking at a system that is on the verge of collapse, and when that system collapses, I will have to seek another means of support and abandon my dream of helping other's in order to survive. I have had my last drink and drug and I will find a way, but what will the addict that still suffers do? I don't know! I can only hope and pray that he doesn't kill himself or somebody else in the process. Do the right thing and help restore funding to treatment centers like Haymarket. Our society can’t afford to lose them, in more ways than you can even imagine.
My name is Edna Jackson, and I'm an employee of Haymarket Center for the past four years. Currently I'm employeed as an Addiction Counselor.I am deeply sadden and horrified by the turn of recent events in Springfield with the budget cuts that has caused Haymarket and other treatment facilities to drastically turn away clients that are in desperate need of treatment and emotional support. There has to be a place that an addict can go to, to be able to redeem their sanity, self-respect and dignity,and most importantly that Ray of Hope and Belief that yes I can, and I will recover from this debilitating and hopeless maladaptive lifestyle. By the way, what does Springfield think is going to happen when addicts no longer have hope that change is possible?. That Haymarket and other treatment centers won't be available to them.I'll tell you what I think will happen; despair will run rampant,crime will be at an all time high, burglaries will increase, robberies, and yes most horrifying of them all is that the homicidal/suicidal rate will probably rise,not a hopeful future. I employ you and every one else to speak out and write or e-mail your senators to ask that they go back to Springfield and demand that the budget be restored. We can't afford to just sit passively by and let this happen. Were talking about people's lives. Let's make a difference for those less fortunate than ourselves. Shame on Blagogevich! What is he thinking, or is he thinking?.