Issues

State Budget

Position

Before the State can restore its fiscal integrity, it must address a true budget deficit estimated by the Comptroller at $11billion, and of a public pension system that is the worst funded in the nation.

  1. We SUPPORT an independent review process for analyzing the cost to taxpayers of various local government pension and disability changes.
  2. We SUPPORT the passage of a Capitol Budget that identifies a fair and equitable funding source and includes funding for important regional infrastructure projects.
  3. We ENCOURAGE legislators to resist the temptation to add or expand unfunded social programs, such as Health Insurance and Universal pre-school, which will cause additional strain on an already overloaded State budget.
  4. We SUPPORT a balanced budget that includes responsible fiscal restraint and a long term, equitable revenue strategy.
  5. We SUPPORT repealing or rolling back anti-business taxes and fees. We OPPOSE both a gross receipts tax and a payroll tax because they will further drive business out of the state.
  6. We OPPOSE legislation that would increase the corporate income tax on businesses. Of particular concern is the proposed tax on leased software, which will eliminate one of the few economic advantages Illinois possesses in attracting high technology employment.
  7. We OPPOSE the renewed efforts to extend the three-year-old tax cap on residential property. Enacted only in Cook County, the cap has generated a tremendous property tax shift to both commercial/industrial and residential property owners that have not seen assessed values increase more than 7%.

News

  • District 118, DEA
    Sep 1, 2010 — Commercial-News
    The DEA gave its 10-day "intent to strike" notice last Thursday following a union vote that drew 98 percent support.
  • County finance committee passes budget
    Aug 31, 2010 — Commercial-News
    ...the Vermilion County budget moved past the committee level. The county board's finance committee voted unanimously to pass the budget on to the full county board, which will meet on Sept. 14. The budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year -- which begins on Dec. 1 -- follows past recent precedents in not asking for a tax increase from residents. The budget revenue estimates of $42.07 million short fall of the fiscal year's estimated expenditures of $44.25 million. County Board...
  • Study
    Aug 30, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
    The full report is available online at civicfed.org. The state's level of borrowing in that time period is second only to fiscal 2003, when then- Gov. If you drive the Eisenhower, there was funding for that.
  • Two years after closures, state parks on the rise
    Aug 29, 2010 — The Pantagraph
    It's part of our (America's) heritage." But Bruce Howes, Moraine View State Park's superintendent, said the IDNR staff remains shorthanded. There are still the campers and people who fish." And, fishing is very good for walleyes, saugeye, bluegills and crappie, Leon Gibson said. The Gibsons think at least some folks are unaware the park has reopened.
  • Quinn draws fire over timing of inspector general's ouster
    Aug 24, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
    Wright questioned Quinn's commitment to keeping the watchdog office independent. Stermer got the same message at his government e-mail address. But Kupper said that decision was unrelated to the Stermer e-mails.
  • Even for GOP, Blagojevich proves popular state fair attraction
    Aug 20, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
    Blagojevich also will chat with Fox News' Chris Wallace and Comedy Central's Jon Stewart. The relevancy of the Republican Party in Illinois has been deflated since former Republican Gov. George Ryan was convicted on federal corruption charges.
  • Brady holds budget details until after election
    Aug 18, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
    Pat Quinn, said he will "demand every agency" present him with a budget that is 90 percent of what it is today. Quinn also has adopted that approach by tightly holding on to details about potential cuts. Much of it will." Quinn says Brady's budget cuts would hit education and result in higher property taxes.
  • BRIEF
    Aug 12, 2010 — Commercial-News
    Newstex) -- DANVILLE -- The Small Business Development Center at Danville Area Commu-nity College will host "Advanced QuickBooks: Instruction In Payroll" from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the DACC office in the Village Mall. Pat Owens from Clifton Gunderson will present: setting up pay-roll, calculating payroll taxes, preparing payroll tax forms and W-2 prepa-ration. Registration fee is $25 and includes breakfast at 7:15 a.m. To register by Aug. 14, call 442-7232 or at
  • Tourist center at Oakwood rest stop closes
    Aug 12, 2010 — The News-Gazette
    ...-- OAKWOOD -- Tourists needing information at the Salt Kettle rest stop off Interstate 74 are on their own. As part of the state budget process, 13 of 15 tourist information centers around Illinois have closed, including the center at the Salt Kettle rest stop near Oakwood on the north side of Interstate 74, accessible only from the westbound lanes. Only two tourist centers will remain open in Springfield and Chicago. The tourism information center at the Oakwood rest stop was...
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