Governor Signs New Illinois 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: Jul 15, 2009 at 10:45 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 15, 2009 at 10:50 PM CDT

Illinois lawmakers Wednesday night approved a state budget. But in reality, they kicked their 11–billion budget problem down the road.
The House and Senate signed off on a 26–billion dollar stopgap plan. It relies on borrowing billions of dollars and millions of dollars in cuts.

But that will restore most funding for social service programs around the state. And it'll make sure the state can pay pensions.
But some lawmakers tonight say this is all nothing more than smoke and mirrors and does nothing to address the state's serious money problems.
Senate President John Cullerton pretty much agreed with that but said there was no choice. Cullerton suggests lawmakers again vote on an income tax hike next January.
Governor Quinn late Wednesday signed the budget.

"We had to put together, I think, a budget that is a bridge to the future. And we are going to keep working and working and working to improve the fiscal situation of our state," said Quinn.

Tuesday, Nov 17 at 8:11 PM Michelle wrote ...

What about making the chosen one that represent this state take a pay cut. After that's what they expected of the big three CEO's when those guys borrowed money...

Tuesday, Nov 3 at 6:25 PM GET REAL wrote ...

TO REALLY? IT IS QUINN NOT GUINN. STATE EMPLOYEE YOU GET WAY BETTER PAY AND HEALTH COVERAGE THEN US "REGULAR" HARD WORKING PEOPLE DO..WE PAY "YOUR SALARY". WE THE TAXPAYERS DO..I WOULD RATHER HAVE YOUR PAY AND BENEFITS THEN MINE OWN..QUINN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED...THIS STATE IS WAY OUT OF CONTROL..THE RICH GET RICHER AND THE POOR GET MORE POOR...

Thursday, Oct 8 at 8:12 AM really? wrote ...

GUINN IS NO BETTER THAT BLAGO!!!

Monday, Jul 20 at 12:12 AM State Employee wrote ...

WHY open our contract to cut our wages when we are being charged MORE for insurance, co-pays, retirement WE pay in to, & furlough? PLEASE elected officials it's YOUR fault NOT OURS this state is screwed up! YOU take the cuts from your parttime (haha)job serving the people of this state!not the citizens who actually WORK to get by to take care of their families & less fortunate!

Thursday, Jul 16 at 4:39 PM OldCoyote wrote ...

Well "enough" this Governor does live in the Governor's mansion in Springfield. He's the first to do so in 30 years but as we can see that really doesn't make a difference. The rest of the clowns are still scattered around the state. Even in Peoria.

Thursday, Jul 16 at 3:50 PM enough wrote ...

when will our governor move back to springfield so he can work with our representatives like is supposed to happen. not sit in chicago with the rest of his cronies.

Thursday, Jul 16 at 12:39 PM Annoyed wrote ...

We are in a national economic slump, and we have one of the highest deficits (if not the highest) in the nation. Our biggest problems in IL? People struggling to pay for their belongings, healthcare and funding. So what do they do with this great new budget? Borrow MORE money to pay off debt, cut funding to human services and plan to raise income tax. Yeah, that'll reeeeaaaallllly help to stimulate the economy and the people of Illinois. Good job setting an example of living within means!

Thursday, Jul 16 at 9:15 AM OldCoyote wrote ...

I think this just proves that in this state the only difference between a Democrat and Republican politicians is the way the names are spelled. They all have their pork barrel projects and special interests that keep them in campaign funds and office. The Republicans have spent without having the funds to do it and now the Democrats have done the same. Now we are in a deficit. Well Duh!!! Either make the state business friendly to create more jobs ergo revenue OR tax to death the rest.

Thursday, Jul 16 at 9:02 AM IL CITIZEN wrote ...

The only proposals they can get passed are pay increases or incentives for themselves. I thought they worked for the people of this state...if so, why do they make alot more than their employers? Like i have heard so many times from people close to retirement....make the government draw social security like we do....guaranteed it would get fixed then...at least for politicians anyway.

Thursday, Jul 16 at 8:58 AM IL CITIZEN wrote ...

Another example of the government telling us to live within our means when they have no clue how to do it themselves. I will barely see or never see social security even though i have paid in all of my adult life. Imagine what is in store for my children....

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