What are Governor Quinns budget priorities?
• Reform – Make state government honest, ethical and transparent; reform the state pension systems; and make the tax system fair for working and middle-class families. • Responsibility – Close the budget gap but protect Illinois’ children and families; preserve our commitment to education; reduce the Medicaid payment cycle; and increase health care for veterans. • Recovery – Jump-start Illinois’ economy with a comprehensive jobs plan that will build new schools; repair our aging roads and bridges; improve mass transit; create “green” jobs; and maximize the federal recovery money Illinois receives. Q: Why does Illinois need to make tough choices? A: Due to the poor national economy, Illinois’ Fiscal Year 2010 revenue is projected to continue to decline to near Fiscal Year 2004 levels. In addition, increases in Medicaid costs, social services, employee benefits, and other required costs mean that spending would be $34.3 billion in fiscal year 2010 without reform and cuts. For Fiscal Year
