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Public Affairs coverage from our award-winning staff |
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Illinois Lawmakers Standoff on Budget Deficit
Produced by City Room on Thursday, June 18, 2009
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Illinois Republican leaders are suggesting a month-to-month budget to avoid massive service cuts. Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno says a tax hike by July 1 does not need to happen. House Republican Leader Tom Cross says talk of a doomsday scenario has been overblown.
CROSS: Can we make sure that those that are suffering right now that need help from the state, those in the social services spectrum -- can we avoid those cuts in the next few weeks and months and even through January? Yes it can be done without a tax increase.
Democratic Senate president John Cullerton says the Republicans' suggestion to spend money on a month-to-month basis is irresponsible. He says the GOP needs to vote to raise revenue to prevent drastic cuts soon.
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Lee Francis, West Town, Chicago, IL // Thursday, June 18, 2009 @ 6:42 AM
I'm glad that general assembly members realize the deep pain social service cuts will cause. As the director of a community health center in Chicago we would be forced to cut all or some of the following services: School-based health centers, dental care, services for domestic violence victims, family planning services, teen pregnancy prevention services. In addition, Medicaid will probably stop paying promptly -- in a note I received from the State director yesterday, the payment cycle would increase to 200 days!
It is critical that the general assembly and the governor act immediately. If not, expect utter devastation in the services for our most vulnerable citizens.
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Claudia, North Chicago // Thursday, June 18, 2009 @ 1:29 PM
It sadness me to see how politics and politicians continue to gamble with the Livelihood of the most vulnerable people in our State. One can only hope that those we elected are smarter and wiser than most others. It also makes me sick that we can't count on people who will ultimately be looking out for what is best for all of us.
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jennie garcia, west/ridge // Friday, June 19, 2009 @ 10:10 AM
i think that politicans should know that cuts would effect the nations. worker would have to leave their jobs to care for their children. this would effect the companies that they work for, because they would not have enough employees. i think that the companies should also let the politicans know that this will also be bad for everyone, with cuts there would not be no extra money to spend. there has to be a way to fix this mess. to many lives will be touched. i think that they need to be aware of this. all will suffer, do they really want people to be jobless, homeless, don't we have too much of this in America already?
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Patricia Even, Downers Grove // Tuesday, June 23, 2009 @ 1:30 PM
The citizens of Illinois have become recipients of a massive debt, but we are all in this together. We need to support each other, particularly the ones who cannot take care of themselves through no fault of their own. Changes definitely need to happen, but not to the people dependent on us/social service agencies most of all.
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