THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER
Illinois Budget
Wednesday Watch: The Most Expensive Illinois Legislative Primary? Judicial Pensions on the Table?…and More
(Springfield, IL) – And The Prize For Most Expensive Primary So Far Goes To… GOP State Senators Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) and Christine Johnson (R-Shabbona) for harvesting $581,100 with which to clobber each other. Second Prize Goes To… State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) and State Rep. Chris Nybo (R-Lombard) for vacuuming in $512,800 for their slugflest. … Continue reading
Tuesday Tips: Chicago North Side Judge Campaign Rolls in Dough, Rolls Out Cable Ad; Emanuel Wants to Lease City Land to Catholic Charities for $1 … and More
(Chicago, IL) – Chicago North Side Judge Campaign Rolls in Dough, Rolls Out Video Ad – Judge Celia Louise Gamrath, who is hustling by going door-to-door for a seat from the lakefront 8th Judicial Subcircuit on Chicago’s north side once held Chicago’s first openly gay judge, Tom Chiola, is out with a polished video ad … Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn’s Veto Pen Slashes $376 Million from Illinois Budget
(Chicago, IL) — June 30, 2011: 8:00 p.m. With no public fanfare, Governor Pat Quinn today signed the fiscal year 2012 Illinois budget while vetoing $376 million from the budget sent to him by the legislature. Quinn issued the following statement: “Line by line, I have carefully examined the budget passed by the General Assembly … Continue reading
$30 Million “Mistake” Could End Mental Health Care for Thousands of Illinois Residents without Illinois Senate Action
(Springfield, IL) – June 18, 2011. A $30 million clerical “mistake” could end mental health care for tens of thousands of Illinois residents with legislative action by the Illinois Senate next week. Continue reading
Speaker Michael Madigan Says House Budget Revenue Projection Would Prevail over Senate’s
(Springfield, IL) — March 31, 2011. A budgetary battle could be brewing in the state Capitol, but not necessarily between Republicans and Democrats. Continue reading
Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno Pushes Illinois Budget Cuts, Aiming Ax at Education, Human Services
(Springfield, IL) — March 17, 2011. Illinois Senate Republicans are pushing a plan that shaves $5 billion off of Governor Pat Quinn’s introduced budget of $35.4 billion. The cuts are necessary if the state is to finally dig itself out of the budget hole of the past several years, senators said Thursday. Continue reading
Illinois House, Senate Dems May Be at Odds on Illinois Budget
(Springfield, IL) — March 4, 2011. The state’s next budget could be much smaller than Governor Pat Quinn outlined last month. Or it could be the same. Or larger. Continue reading
Extra $1 Billion is “Found” for Illinois Budget
(Springfield, IL) – March 2, 2011. Illinois may have just over a billion dollars that’s not included in Governor Pat Quinn’s new budget. But lawmakers in Springfield say just because they may have the extra cash, it doesn’t mean they will spend it. Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Agrees to 75% Illinois Income Tax Increase to Balance Illinois Budget
(Springfield, IL) – January 7, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn and top legislative Democrats in Springfield say they have an agreement that will erase Illinois’ $15 billion deficit, send more money to Illinois schools and limit state spending for three years. Continue reading
Illinois Governor Debate 2010: WBEZ Chicago Public Radio Debate Excludes Green Party Nominee Rich Whitney, Too Bad
(Chicago, IL) — October 17, 2010. Unlike its public broadcasting counter part in Southern Illinois on Thursday night, the WBEZ Chicago Public Radio Illinois governor debate will exclude Green Party gubernatorial nominee Rich Whitney at Elmhurst College tonight. Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Illinois State Board of Education Finance Committee Launches in Chicago Next Week 1st of 6 Budget Hearings
(Chicago, IL) – October 13, 2010. The Illinois State Board of Education’s Finance and Audit Committee is launching in Chicago next week its first of six public budget hearings across the state to help shape budget recommendations that will be submitted to the Governor and General Assembly in January 2011. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Bill Brady Bucks the Tea Party
(Chicago, IL) – October 12, 2010. Will Bill Brady be welcome at the next tea party cotillion? Continue reading
Senate President John Cullerton Taps Senator Dan Kotowski to Take Lead Role in Pushing New Illinois Budget Law
(Chicago, IL) – October 6, 2010. State Senator Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) announced this week that he has been tapped by the Illinois senate president to take the lead role in the implementation a new state budget law. Continue reading
Illinois Election 2010: Governor Pat Quinn Hears a Ticking Sound on the Illinois Budget as Election Day 2010 Approaches
Governor Pat Quinn’s gubernatorial campaign yesterday called on GOP opponent State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) to detail his plan for the Illinois budget, arguing that the campaign clock was ticking. Continue reading
Illinois Budget: GOP Senator Larry Bomke Backs Illinois Tax Increase to Pay State’s Bills
(Springfield, IL) — July 27, 2010. This is what statesmanship looks like. State Journal-Register political reporter Bernie Schoenberg today reports that State Senator Larry Bomke (R-Springfield) has asserted the kind leadership that has been gravely absent from GOP lawmakers until now. State Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, told Gov. Pat Quinn’s chief of staff Monday he … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Governor Pat Quinn’s Office Fears Illinois Medicaid May Face $750 Million Cut
(Springfield, IL) — July 23, 2010. Furlough days for thousands of state workers and much later Medicaid payments could be just the beginning. Governor Pat Quinn‘s office is, for the first time, acknowledging that the state may not get $750 million from Washington for the neediest families in Illinois. The so-called FMAP money — Federal … Continue reading
Another Illinois Budget Problem for Pat Quinn: Illinois Quietly Borrows Billions from Feds to Pay Unemployment Checks; Ranks 6th in Loan Debt
(Chicago, IL) — July 10, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn is staring at another debt bomb. While Quinn has been struggling to pay nearly $6 billion in unpaid bills to state vendors and wrestling with a potential $4.1 billion loan to pay Illinois’ pension systems, Illinois has quietly borrowed billions from the federal government to replenish … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Would Bill Brady Cut Governor Staff Salaries by 10%?
(Chicago, IL) — July 7, 2010. What policy would State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) adopt toward gubernatorial staff salaries were he to become governor? Would he cut top staff salaries by 10%? The Associated Press yesterday revealed that Governor Pat Quinn has handed out 43 raises to 35 staffers, averaging 11.4%, over the last 15 … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Senator Bill Brady and Governor Pat Quinn Duel over Budget “Failure”
(Chicago, IL) — July 1, 2010. At the start of the new Illinois budget, Bill Brady and Pat Quinn yesterday were hurling some version of “fail” at each other in dueling statements. Welcome to the Illinois budget debate. Senator Brady was first out of the grate, criticizing Quinn on the new Fiscal Year 2011 budget … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Governor Pat Quinn Saves AIDS Drugs Program from Budget Cuts
(Chicago, IL) – July 1, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn announced today that state funding for the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program would be spared. In fact, Quinn will help more people. The program, which provides life-saving HIV medications to low-income people with HIV, will be sufficiently funded to “serve approximately 4,500 clients a month – … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Governor Pat Cuts Illinois Budget $1.4 Billion; Illinois Human Services, Education Take Big Hits
At a press conference in Chicago, Governor Pat Quinn today announced budget reductions of $1.4 billion, slicing $312 million from Illinois human services, $241 million from local Illinois schools, $100 million from Illinois colleges and universities, and $15 million from the Illinois State Police. Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Senator Dave Syverson Makes Outrageous Budget Blooper
State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) yesterday outrageously—and erroneously—claimed that Illinois has “the richest Medicaid system in the country” while criticizing Governor Pat Quinn over the new Illinois budget. Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Pat Quinn Hints at Special Session
(Springfield, IL) — May 27, 2010. After Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) today adjourned the Senate without passing the $4 billion pension borrowing bill, Governor Pat Quinn shortly afterward issued a statement that said the legislature had not finished its work, hinting at a special session. “Our task is not complete, and there’s more that … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Senator Mike Jackobs Says a “Governor Bill Brady” Will Need to Swallow an Illinois Tax Increase
(Springfield, IL) — May 20, 2010. Democratic lawmakers say the state’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year will be finalized in a matter of days, even though consensus on key matters is still lacking. Lawmakers are planning to return to Springfield next week and Democrats want to finalize a budget to pass to Governor Pat … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Senator Larry Bomke Expects Speaker Michael Madigan to Push New Budget Through House Without GOP
(Springfield, IL) — May 19, 2010. Republican lawmakers in the Springfield area are lamenting that the Illinois General Assembly could pass a version of the Illinois state budget and conclude the legislative session by the end of this month. With strong majorities in both the Illinois House and Senate, Democratic lawmakers can push through a … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Illinois Democrats’ Proposed State Budget Electoral Genius?
(Springfield, IL) — May 7, 2010. Could there be political gold even in a fiscal calamity? The Illinois state budget promoted Illinois Democratic leaders, which was yesterday approved by the Illinois State Senate and now is being considered by the House, may offend public policy process idealists but could prove to be electoral genius for … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Governor Pat Quinn, Jerry Stermer Meet with Conference of Women Legislators on Mental Health, Other Issues
(Springfield, IL) — April 29, 2010. State Rep. Karen May (D-Highland Park) reports via her Facebook Page that Governor Pat Quinn, and chief of staff Jerry Stermer today met with the Conference of Women Legislators about funding for day care, mental health services, alcohol and drug dependence and women’s health initiatives. In Quinn’s proposed budget, … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Senators Mike Jacobs, Dan Rutherford Expect Legislature to Leave on May 7, Leave Budget Undone
(Springfield, IL) — April 28, 2010. Illinois lawmakers expect to be home at the end of next week, even if it will take a little longer to finish the new state budget. Legislators expect their last day in Springfield to be on or about May 7, the scheduled adjournment date. And about three weeks earlier … Continue reading
Illinois Pensions: Pat Quinn Claims Pension Reforms to Save Illinois $200 Billion; Praises Michael Madigan, John Cullerton
(Chicago, IL) — April 15, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn yesterday finally signed into law a significant public pension reform bill that will save taxpayers billions of dollars while protecting the retirement of state workers. “From the moment I took office, I have worked to overhaul Illinois’ pension system to provide relief to taxpayers while protecting … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Senate President John Cullerton Says Evanston to Keep its State Income Tax Money; Pat Quinn’s Budget Gets a $300 Million Hole
(Chicago, IL) — April 5, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn has proposed cutting the share of the Illinois income tax that is shared with towns and cities by $300 million to help close the state’s gaping budget deficit. Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago), however, on Friday told Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl not to worry: the … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Rep. Jehan Gordon Dumps on Pat Quinn’s Budget Cut to Cities
State Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) is giving Governor Pat Quinn a legislative taste of the difficulties that his budget faces in the Illinois legislature. Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Progress Illinois Exposes Illinois Policy Institute’s Junk Policy Research
(Chicago, IL) — March 18, 2010. The Illinois ‘Policy Institute’–a thinly disguised propaganda arm of the Illinois Republican Party–has been peddling its gussied up junk policy research on the Illinois budget as the real thing and plenty of media outlets have been falling for it–except Progress Illinois. In the latest installment of party propaganda masquerading … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Illinois Policy Institute’s Fantasy Machine Churns Out Illinois Budget Proposal
(Chicago, IL) — March 17, 2010. The Illinois Policy Institute today released a detailed alternative Illinois budget that cuts $4.6 billion from the state budget, raises no taxes or loans, and still leaves the budget unbalanced by nearly $8.4 billion, kicking the can down the road. “It will take the state a few years to … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Despite Illinois Constitution, Pat Quinn’s Budget Eliminates Lt. Governor’s $139,200 Salary
(Springfield, IL) — March 17, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn‘s budget is not doing anything to make Illinois’ odd situation with the lieutenant governor’s office any less odd. Quinn has said since the debacle with Scott Lee Cohen — which left the Democrats without a lieutenant governor candidate – that he supports keeping the position. However, … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Greg Hinz Notes that Pat Quinn’s 1% Tax Hike Raises $2.8 Billion–$1.5 Billion More than Needed to Avoid School Cuts
(Chicago, IL) — March 11, 2010. Only in Springfield do you find this kind of “new math”. Governor Pat Quinn is proposing a 1% Illinois income tax increase surcharge to avoid $1.3 billion in cuts to local schools. What the Governor neglected yesterday to mention in his budget address is that 1% would raise $2.8 … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: GOP State Rep. Jim Sacia Says Pat Quinn’s 33% Income Tax Increase Not Big Enough; Other Lawmakers Respond
(Springfield, IL) — March 11, 2010. The state faces a staggering $13 billion deficit and Governor Pat Quinn’s budget plan calls for $2 billion in cuts, $4 billion in short-term borrowing and a 33 percent increase in the state income tax rate to cover state costs. Illinois’ current income tax rate stands at a flat … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: In Response to Pat Quinn Budget Proposal, Bill Brady Sticks to His 10% Cut, Despite Jim Edgar Calling it “Naive”
(Springfield, IL) — March 11, 2010. Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady on Wednesday called Governor Pat Quinn’s fiscal year 2011 budget a “catastrophe,” insisting his own plan for a 10 percent across-the-board cut would balance the budget and dig the state out of its $13 billion hole. His comments came after Quinn’s budget speech to … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Governor Pat Quinn Slashes $90 Million from Illinois Community Mental Health
(Springfield, IL) — March 10, 2010. The brunt of the $276 million cut from the Illinois Department of Human Services by Governor Pat Quinn in the new Illinois budget has fallen on Illinois’ community mental health system, losing $90 million. Quinn’s proposed budget eliminates non-Medicaid community-based services and significantly reduce capacity grants. The $90 million … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Pat Quinn Wants 1% Education Income Tax Surcharge: Dan Rutherford Wants to Hit “Reset Button” on Priorities
(Springfield, IL) — March 10, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today unveiled a proposed Illinois budget that cuts $1.3 billion from local education, but also calls for a 1% education income tax surcharge to reverse the proposed cuts. In addition to the education cuts, Quinn proposed cutting another $1 billion, borrowing $4.7 billion, and deferring another … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Jim Edgar on Bill Brady’s Budget Proposal-”Naive”
(Chicago, IL) — March 10, 2010. Former Republican Governor Jim Edgar took a not-too-subtle swipe at GOP gubernatorial nominee Bill Brady‘s 10% cut across-the-board proposal to fill the Illinois budget’s $12 billion hole, calling it “naive”. Ouch. During an interview with Chicago WBEZ radio, which Progress Illinois overhead, Edgar said: “I don’t agree with across-the-board. … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: House GOP Leader Tom Cross Gives Jobs, Budget Plan a Swift Kick in the Can
(Springfield, IL) — March 4, 2010. The Illinois budget is a game of kick-the-can for grown ups. In advance of Governor Pat Quinn’s budget address next week, House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) teamed-up with ultra-conservative Illinois Policy Institute President John Tillman to outline a familiar-looking agenda on jobs, spending, and accountability at a Springfield … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Illinois Owes Illinois School Districts $725 Million
(Springfield, IL) — February 22, 2010. The Illinois budget crisis monster is claiming another victim: local schools. From Amanda Reavy at the Springfield State Journal-Register: Illinois state government’s backlog of bills associated with kindergarten through 12th grade schools totals about $725 million, according to Carol Knowles, spokeswoman for Comptroller Dan Hynes. The backlog consists of … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: House Committee Backs Rep Don Moffitt Bill to Lower Fire Station Loan Repayments
(Chicago, IL) — February 19, 2010. Since cash has run dry in local governments and in Springfield, Illinois lawmakers are pushing all sorts of borrowing bills this year, for universities, community colleges, Medicaid, etc. In the latest borrowing scheme, the Illinois House Fire Protection Committee yesterday approved, 4-0, legislation, House Bill 4710, sponsored by State … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Christine Radogno Opposes Senator Donne Trotter’s $250 Million Medicaid Borrowing Plan
(Springfield, IL) — February 18, 2010. A chief Senate budget expert is proposing more debt to cope with the state’s current $13 billion deficit. The measure sponsored by State Senator Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) would allow most state universities to borrow up to 75 percent of the amount owed to them by the state. The schools’ … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Illinois Human Services Move Over, Illinois School Districts are the Newest Victims of Illinois Budget Crisis
(Springfield, IL) – February 16, 2010. Move over Illinois human services, Illinois school districts are the next big thing in the Illinois budget cuts drama. Last year, Illinois budget cuts and budget pain fell disproportionately on human service programs, causing grief principally for Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans, but to a lesser degree. But that … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Illinois Responsible Budget Coaltion Aims to Bring 3,000 to Springfield Rally for Income Tax Increase Push
(Springfield, IL) – February 16, 2010. Here they come. Some 3,000 social service providers and clients, educators and students, faith leaders, seniors, consumer advocates, state and local government employees and others will descend on Springfield for rally in the state capitol on Wednesday, February 17. They are dressing up their call for an income tax … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Fiscal Crisis Strikes Senators Dan Duffy, Pam Althoff; Reps Mike Bost, Mike Smith, Others
(Springfield, IL) — February 11, 2010. Illinois’ deadbeat status is now reaching into politicians’ pockets, as lawmakers face “past due” bills for office rent, medical charges and other payments. Some lawmakers are facing up to $10,000 in late payments and it’s starting to take its toll. State Senator Dan Duffy (R-Barrington) said the state has … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Gov Pat Quinn is Planning to Cut Illinois Budget by 14%
(Chicago, IL) — December 8, 2009. If Illinois residents who depend on state services were suffering insufficiently up until now due to earlier Illinois budget cuts, more suffering is on deck. Governor Pat Quinn‘s budget director, David Vaught, is directing state agencies to cut 14 percent from their budget. Gulp. The state has an estimated … Continue reading
Illinois 2010 Elections: State Rep. Carol Sente, Buffalo Grove Village President Elliott Hartstein Clash on Illinois Income Tax Increase
(Chicago, IL) — December 4, 2009. Appointed State Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) and three-term Buffalo Grove Village President Elliott Hartstein–who is challenging Sente in the upcoming Democratic primary–are clashing on the issue of an Illinois income tax increase. According to their questionnaires submitted to the Chicago Tribune, Sente opposes an income tax hike and … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: State Tax Revenue Drops $14.3 Billion Nationwide–Illinois 1 of 10 States with Double Digit Decline in Personal, Corporate, Sale Taxes
(Chicago, IL) — November 30, 2009. State tax revenues nationwide to continue to evaporate. Tax revenues dropped at least $14.3 billion nationwide in the most recent fiscal quarter, according to a study by the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government. The Rockefeller Institute compiled data from states and it shows major tax sources were $119.7 … Continue reading
David Ormsby, Editor
Gov. Pat Quinn
- Pat Quinn On Gay Marriage: Illinois Governor Endorses Marriage ... The Huffington Post News Editors
- Hon. Pat Quinn, Governor, State of Illinois « City Club Chicago Videos city club chicago
- FREEDOMISMIST: PAT QUINN MAY BE ABLE STAY OUT OF ... Eileen
- Governor Pat Quinn Puts His Foot Down On Gambling Expansion ... Mark
- Teachers picket against pension changes : News : ConnectTriStates ... KHQA Newsdesk
- Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn Endorses Gay Marriage unknown
- Democurmudgeon: Gov. Pat Quinn exposes Scott Walker as a fake ... Democurmudgeon
- Quinn Launches “Save Our State" Website | Chicago Tonight | WTTW Yasmin Rammohan
- McHenry County Blog | Pat Quinn Tells Truth about Pension ... Cal Skinner
- Pat Quinn Criticizes Scott Walker On Jobs The Huffington Post News Editors
IL General Assembly
- Illinois General Assembly Approves Money to Keep Day Care Center Open, Bill ... - WJBD Online May 18, 2012
- State's Minimum Wage Could Become Highest in Country - Patch.com May 18, 2012
- Legislative update: Budget, pension, Medicaid await Illinois General Assembly ... - NIU Today May 15, 2012
- General Assembly puts health exchange bill on back burner - Crain's Chicago Business May 10, 2012
- American Progressive Bag Alliance Urges Illinois General Assembly To Pass ... - MarketWatch (press release) May 1, 2012
- Personal property tax diversion goes nowhere in legislature - The State Journal-Register May 16, 2012
- American Progressive Bag Alliance Urges Illinois General Assembly To Pass ... - PR Newswire (press release) May 1, 2012
- Feds give Illinois more money for insurance exchange as Legislature stalls - Crain's Chicago Business May 17, 2012
- Chicago Cubs, Obama controversy part of final days of legislative session - Examiner.com May 19, 2012
- Mayor John Spring: Public safety will suffer if state cuts funds to Quincy - Quincy Herald Whig May 18, 2012
The Capitol Fax Blog
- Reader comments closed for the weekend May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Chicago Tribune: Coal plant closures could send electricity costs soaring May 18, 2012 Advertising Department
- Protected: *** UPDATED x5 *** SUBSCRIBERS ONLY: This just in… May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Question of the day May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- OK, so where’s your plan? May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Caption contest! May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Topinka: Cigarette tax hike a “common sense solution” May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Slots at tracks a possibility? Maybe May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- AFSCME loses appeal over canceled raises May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- *** UPDATED x2 - Ricketts gave preliminary approval, lauded TV ad *** Cubs owners try damage control May 18, 2012 Rich Miller