SPRINGFIELD – Lawmakers returned to Springfield for the first time following Rod Blagojevich’s impeachment trial, and began to focus on more routine legislative matters such as introducing new legislation. More than 1,000 proposals for new legislation had been filed by week’s end.
Top legislative leaders also had their first meeting with new Gov. Pat Quinn. State Sen. Dale Risinger (R-Peoria) said lawmakers are eager to work together, in a spirit of cooperation. He said that bipartisanship will be imperative to address the state’s worsening budget crisis.
According to a report released this week by Comptroller Daniel Hynes, the state could be facing an unprecedented $9 billion budget deficit—double the budget hole that Blagojevich faced when he took office in 2003. Although some questioned the accuracy of Hynes’ estimate, most officials acknowledge that Illinois faces severe financial problems.
The Comptroller said the state will have $23 billion on hand when the fiscal year begins in July, but Illinois’ obligations are approximately $32 billion. Even if the federal government provides as much as $3 billion in the form of possible stimulus funding, that could leave a $6 billion deficit that lawmakers and the governor must address.
It’s unknown how the new Governor will fill the gap, but he has requested an additional month to pull together his Fiscal Year 2010 budget proposal. Gov. Quinn now has until March 18 to deliver his first budget address. Many lawmakers are stressing the need to scale back programs and halt any expansions, while others speculate that a tax increase of some type is in the works.
Though the state is looking for ways to cut corners, a recent study shows that closing the beleaguered Pontiac Correctional Center will not result in substantial savings. The Blagojevich Administration had advanced the closure of the facility as a way to save an estimated $4 million. However, Risinger said that the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University found closing the facility may result in $16 million to $26 million in lost revenue, jobs and economic opportunity.
The project manager for the study said that he wants the new Governor to be aware of these updated numbers before Gov. Quinn makes a decision on the fate of PCC. Quinn has said he will review the closure.
Another report was released by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency this week, which shows that attendance at Illinois’ historic sites fell by almost 13 percent in 2008. Fewer than 2 million people visited historic sites last year, as opposed to nearly 2.3 million in 2007.
Twelve historic sites were closed by former Gov. Blagojevich in late 2008 in an attempt to free up the revenue to fill an estimated $2.5 billion budget hole. The closures were highly criticized, particularly closures associated with President Abraham Lincoln as the state prepares to celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth.
Also this week, Gov. Quinn signed two bills into law. Senate Bill 1132 restores funding to the offices of the Attorney General, Secretary of State and Treasurer. Blagojevich had cut those budgets last fall and each of the offices was forced to lay off employees, institute hiring freezes and furlough days, and identity other ways of saving money to compensate for the lost revenue.
The measure also restores $9 million to the Department of Natural Resource’s budget for wildlife and conservation programs. It was important that this money was restored in order to guarantee a $16 million federal match.
Quinn also signed Senate Bill 2757, which exempts health-related research facilities from the smoking ban, as well as common smoking rooms in veterans’ long-term care homes and workplaces in retail tobacco stores. It also requires the Department of Public Health and law enforcement agencies to issue citations to enforce the smoking ban.
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2 comments:
THis Smoke free law is the most controlling and stupid's law. We have the right to live in this country but yet you are telling us we can't smoke in the public. But our refriniers are worst then any one smoking in a "Bar. If people don't want to be around it than stay home. I agree with resturant. But Not your Bar. Where do the goverment thinks some of there revnue come from ( Bars). they are closing because they can't smoke in them.. That why Blago.....runied our state.
Is Governor Quinn going to recall the 48 laid off Department of Human Services workers? The laid off Public Aid workers are needed to process the increase in new food stamp applications.
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