Spring Break
State approves budget - maybe (6/4/08)
Charlotte Downes
Issue date: 6/18/08 Section: News
Over the weekend, Illinois lawmakers adjourned for the summer after passing a $59 billion state budget. However, the state does not have the funds to cover the budget.
Governor Rod Blagojevich said he would like to meet with legislative leaders to discuss fixing the deficit. Blagojevich also wants to discuss passing a major public works program, in hopes that it would stimulate the state's economy.
Blagojevich's proposed public works program was voted down, along with the gambling expansion that would have funded it. Blagojevich has requested a meeting with legislative leaders to discuss revising the budget and having the General Assembly reconvene long enough to pass it. He believes the budget could be revised and approved by the end of June.
However, if the General Assembly will not pass a capitol program, last summer's record overtime session could be repeated. That budget resulted in massive spending cuts. House Speaker Michael Madigan has shown little interest in meeting with Blagojevich, saying that past meetings with the governor have been unproductive. His office plans to send a representative to any meetings Blagojevich might call. Blagojevich continues to rally legislative leaders to meet, saying the budget is $2 billion "out of whack."
However, not everyone is hoping for a completely overhauled budget, particularly students and faculty at Western Illinois University. If the current budget stays in place, Western would receive a 2.8 percent increase in funding: approximately $1.6 million.
"Although it is a difficult budgetary time, and we recognize that, we hope that higher education will be supported," Western President Al Goldfarb said. He said he also hopes that Western will receive support from the capitol bill for two major projects: the Performing Arts Center and a new building on the Quad Cities campus.
Governor Rod Blagojevich said he would like to meet with legislative leaders to discuss fixing the deficit. Blagojevich also wants to discuss passing a major public works program, in hopes that it would stimulate the state's economy.
Blagojevich's proposed public works program was voted down, along with the gambling expansion that would have funded it. Blagojevich has requested a meeting with legislative leaders to discuss revising the budget and having the General Assembly reconvene long enough to pass it. He believes the budget could be revised and approved by the end of June.
However, if the General Assembly will not pass a capitol program, last summer's record overtime session could be repeated. That budget resulted in massive spending cuts. House Speaker Michael Madigan has shown little interest in meeting with Blagojevich, saying that past meetings with the governor have been unproductive. His office plans to send a representative to any meetings Blagojevich might call. Blagojevich continues to rally legislative leaders to meet, saying the budget is $2 billion "out of whack."
However, not everyone is hoping for a completely overhauled budget, particularly students and faculty at Western Illinois University. If the current budget stays in place, Western would receive a 2.8 percent increase in funding: approximately $1.6 million.
"Although it is a difficult budgetary time, and we recognize that, we hope that higher education will be supported," Western President Al Goldfarb said. He said he also hopes that Western will receive support from the capitol bill for two major projects: the Performing Arts Center and a new building on the Quad Cities campus.
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