Governor Says No Go With Budget

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Illinois Governor Pat Quinn (D) during his appearance Thursday at Peoria's Neighborhood House. Quinn wants to raise the state income tax by 5-percent and increase fees on driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, and cigarettes.

By WEEK Producer

Story Published: Jun 30, 2009 at 6:49 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 1, 2009 at 7:02 PM CDT

Gov. Pat Quinn today vetoed a key portion of a makeshift state budget that was approved by legislators, calling it a ``halfway measure'' that would fail to fund basic services and set Illinois up for a wave of lawsuits.

Quinn's action leaves state government without a spending plan
for the new budget year.

That endangers the paychecks of thousands
of state employees and creates a risky financial situation for
state-funded groups that provide child care, drug treatment and
other services.

Lawmakers aren't scheduled to return to the Capitol for further
discussions until July 14, roughly the same time that the first
government paychecks would be interrupted by the budget impasse.

The Democratic governor did not use his power to call a special
session that would bring legislators back to Springfield more
quickly.

Thursday, Jul 2 at 7:51 AM Deb wrote ...

I am the mother of an adult who works for Comm. wkshop. She WORKS!! She could sit at home an draw social Sec but she WORKS! If Quinn cuts the social ser. budget she will be just another non tax paying citizen we have enough of those.Let the people work. As far as myself who is a full time employee I do not know how we can handle anymore I am taxed to death!! With all of the bailouts and now AMEREN wanting to pass it's bad debt from non paying customers on to paying. STOP NO MORE NEW TAXES

Wednesday, Jul 1 at 8:15 PM Deb wrote ...

I wish Governor Quinn would tell me why it's OK for my daughter to be kicked out of rehab today. I've gone bankrupt trying to do it myself and just when I get some help as a long time Illinois tax payer, her help is taken away. If my daughter dies of this disease, I'll never forgive him. She is a beautiful, smart girl who got involved with the wrong friends no matter what I did. Getting her away from home was a God Send and now my only hope for my only child may be gone. It's not fair!

Wednesday, Jul 1 at 3:35 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Prudence- No, actually it's about over 100,000 jobs that would be lost if social services were cut, not just my job. And how about you tell someone who is addicted to alcohol or meth to quit-it's so easy isn't it? You don't know a thing about addiction or health in general. I really feel for you if ever your loved ones were in the same position as many of our Illinois residents are.

Wednesday, Jul 1 at 10:38 AM EDD wrote ...

That a girl cheryl. I am with you we DO NOT need or nor can the state afford that new railroad. Oh and yes I think the Govener should have to pay all the bills at the Gov. mansion not the tax payers. or is he doing what Blago did live in Chicago and we still pick up the tab at the mansion? any one know for sure

Wednesday, Jul 1 at 9:27 AM Prudence wrote ...

So Anonymous, it is really about your job, isn't it? Drug rehab would not be needed if those that are there would quit taking drugs! Most of the social ill's are caused by those who make poor decisions. Why should the taxpayer support bad habits? How much of his own money has Quinn donated to these causes? My guess is none.

Wednesday, Jul 1 at 9:25 AM rtoo wrote ...

Even though I do not use any social service programs I certainly understand the need for them. You can talk all day about the people that use them but unfortunately they are critical for the innocent children that are in need of the services they provide. What we need is a better control of policy and procedure within the organizations. We are all going to be faced with hard times in the future so let's try and work together and quit placing blame. Use your heads people and maybe your heart!

Wednesday, Jul 1 at 8:47 AM FED UP wrote ...

If Quinn cared so much about the social services in this state he would put his money where his mouth is and cut the pay for all the fat-cat politicians including himself. We the people have been taxed to death...

Wednesday, Jul 1 at 8:30 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Maybe if one of your job's was on the line, you'd rethink your opinion on Governor Quinn. He actually cares about social services in the state of Illinois and doesn't want to see jobs cut. It's NOT okay to cut funding for drug rehab, people with disabilities, health departments, and so on. You can really see the quality of a state's people by how they take care of the weakest, poorest, and most underserved.

Wednesday, Jul 1 at 7:57 AM Redneck wrote ...

Child welfare services won't be needed if we went to the root cause, people shouldn't have children if they can't support them, really don't want them, are addicted to drugs or have a mental disorder.

Wednesday, Jul 1 at 7:27 AM Alex wrote ...

So TW, are we to believe you are a fan of socialism? By the way my father was disabled, he had his leg amputated at 16years of age, and you know what he started his own trucking company and made a great living for his family.

Wednesday, Jul 1 at 6:54 AM Bob wrote ...

Why not cut some of the people that work on the highway crews. Well I should say that are on the highway crews. I see so much waste there you have 4-8 people for a job that 1-2 people could do. O I forgot the state says you have to have that many people there for saftey.

Tuesday, Jun 30 at 9:36 PM TW wrote ...

Alex, I certainly hope you never get clocked in the head or anything that might result in you becoming just one of thousands with disabilities in the State of Illinois. "Social programs that add no real value?" Utter these words in the presence of a person or family or staff person who works day in, day out in the field of social services, and see what reaction you get. I'm not a huge fan of more taxes, but you need a small dose of sensitivity!!!

Tuesday, Jun 30 at 9:22 PM Barb wrote ...

It is time our law makers took a pay cut. The rest of us who are lucky enough to still be employed have either taken a pay cut, haven't seen a pay increase in more years than we care to admit, are being forced to take time off unpaid, or a combination of the above. This just isn't right. We are the ones who will be living in the streets while the governor continues his cozy life in the 'mansion', I was hoping for so much better from him.

Tuesday, Jun 30 at 9:10 PM Bill wrote ...

How about cutting the Govenors job, it is not vital to the State of Illinois.

Tuesday, Jun 30 at 9:02 PM Nadine wrote ...

Threats, now that is acting like an adult. Quinn you're fired!

Tuesday, Jun 30 at 8:53 PM rod wrote ...

never thought Quinn could fill my shoes as the biggest jerk in Illinois

Tuesday, Jun 30 at 8:48 PM idea wrote ...

"He bluntly told members that they should act like adults, face up to hiking the state income tax, and balance the budget." How about Quinn start spending like a responsible adult, grow "a pair" and not take the mindless easy way out by raising taxes, and start cutting wasteful spending? DUH.

Tuesday, Jun 30 at 8:20 PM Cheryl wrote ...

The will of the people is no new taxes and no increase in taxes. Govenor Quinn has been in office to long and all he knows is spend..spend.. spend... He is one of the good old boys who got into this mess. Hey, lets take the money that he wants to spend for the Chicago to St.Louis train run and use it to pay-off our debt. The majority of Illinoisians will never ride it anyhow.

Tuesday, Jun 30 at 8:11 PM Alex wrote ...

Govenor Quinn needs to get real and place himself in the shoes of the average Illinois taxpayer! It is time to cut spending and do away with many social programs. The taxpayers who are paying the bills are sick and tired of supporting pet projects and social programs that add no real value. We are concerned about socialism on the Federal level and yet we have a Govenor who wants it on a State level. It is time for term limits so as to get people in office that truly want to serve the people.

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