As lawmakers prepare to return to Springfield for Gov. Pat Quinn’s annual budget address on Feb. 22, State Sen. Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago) says he is looking forward to an in-depth account of the Governor’s plan for Illinois’ finances, including more detail on how Quinn proposes to accomplish the goals laid out earlier this month in his State of the State speech.

Following the State of the State address, lawmakers from both parties noted that though the Governor’s address was full of uplifting rhetoric and compelling ideas, they were disappointed he glossed over the daunting fiscal obstacles facing Illinois. Most officials said they would have liked specifics on how the Governor’s proposals would be financed, considering the state’s current economic challenges.

On Wednesday, Feb. 22, Senator Johnson hopes for more detail on how Quinn plans to reduce the state’s projected deficit. Even after the 67 percent income tax increase, Illinois is still on an unsustainable path, with debt and unemployment continuing to rise, and the state’s credit ratings continuing to be lowered. When taking into account the financial obstacles facing Illinois, Senate GOP legislators are also interested to learn how Gov. Quinn intends to phase out the tax increase as planned.

Illinois' problems with job creation were highlighted during the week when long-time Illinois company, Caterpillar, acknowledged the state's poor business and economic climate would have prevented them from considering Illinois for a significant expansion, said State Sen. Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago).

In other news, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced plans to push for a statewide handgun registry that could make felons of downstate and suburban handgun owners, and the state’s Medicaid program continues to draw attention.

Gov. Pat Quinn delivered a State of the State address on Feb. 1 that left many lawmakers scratching their heads, as State Sen. Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago) said the Governor painted a rosy picture of state finances, while glossing over projections that within five years the state is on track to face deficits exceeding the state’s entire annual General Funds budget.

The Governor’s address followed on the heels of a Civic Federation study released this week outlining a bleak financial future for Illinois. The Civic Federation study is at least the third major report in recent weeks to independently verify what Senate Republicans have warned for years—Illinois must take decisive steps to rein in spending, or the state will face multi-billion dollar deficits before the end of the decade.

And even as state budget projections show that in Fiscal Year 2017, the state’s Medicaid backlog could reach $21 billion, lawmakers discovered this week that the Quinn Administration is actively pursuing an expansion of Medicaid in Cook County.

On Wednesday, February 1, Governor Pat Quinn treated Illinois legislators to a preview of his 2012 legislative agenda when he delivered his “State of the State” address.  According to State Senator Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago) the Governor made some big promises.

“Governor Quinn gave a nice speech today with some lovely goals in it.  I look forward to hearing more details about how he plans to accomplish those goals,“ says Johnson.  “I sincerely hope that this is the year we quit messing around and get down to business to fix this state.”

Johnson pointed to issues like public pensions, taxes, and the Medicaid system as areas that must be addressed in the coming year. “Our obligations to state workers and retirees, and Medicaid are astronomical.  They consume a huge and ever growing amount of state revenues at a rate that is unsustainable.

Senate Republicans are looking forward to Gov. Pat Quinn’s annual “State of the State” address on Feb. 1, which State Sen. Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago) hopes will provide insight into the Governor’s priorities for the upcoming legislative session.

State budget forecasts recently released by the Quinn Administration and Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka underscore the importance of addressing Illinois’ multi-billion dollar deficit and burgeoning bill backlog. But while the state’s budget woes remains a top priority for lawmakers, media reports indicate the Governor will likely turn his attention to other important—and contentious—issues like public pensions, taxes, and the Medicaid system.

Illinois’ obligations to its state workers and retirees, and to its taxpayer-financed health care programs, are gobbling up state revenues at an unsustainable rate. Those commitments are increasing each year, and without serious changes threaten to overwhelm available revenues. Senate Republicans are interested in learning more about Gov. Quinn’s plans to tackle Illinois’ Medicaid and pension system obligations.

Senate Republicans announced this week they will voluntarily walk away from the controversial and scandal-prone Legislative Scholarships Program, State Senator Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago) said. The Senate Republicans hoped their decision will pressure their Democrat colleagues to also give up the costly and politically-charged perk.

Also during the week, Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka released a new report that estimates that one year after the state raised personal income taxes by 67 percent, Illinois has a bill backlog of about $8.5 billion.

Meanwhile, Gov. Pat Quinn announced plans to close a state-run developmental center in Jacksonville and a mental health center in Tinley Park in 2012. The Governor also indicated he plans to close three other developmental disabilities facilities and possibly additional mental health facilities over the next several years.

And, just weeks after lawmakers voted for a pension reform to block highly-paid union executives and lobbyists from cashing in on taxpayer-funded pensions, the Better Government Association revealed that other private sector lobbyists are also in line to score benefits from Illinois' public pension systems.
 

Friday, January 13, the 67 percent tax increase passed in the waning hours of the 96th General Assembly will turn one year old, a birthday that State Senator Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago) says is not an occasion to celebrate.  According to Johnson the tax increase has only added to our financial problems instead of solving them as promised. 

“One of the first votes I cast as a state senator was my vote against this tax increase,” says Johnson.  “At the time I said this increase was just business as usual and that it would allow spending to continue at the same exaggerated rate.  The past year has proven me right”

The tax hike took the equivalent of a week’s pay out of the pocket of average individuals in Illinois.  The average family has had to operate with about $1000 less a year because of the increase.

This week, budget projections released by the Quinn Administration offer a grim preview of the state’s fiscal situation, though State Sen. Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago) said that a Senate Republican plan could serve as a commonsense road map to financial recovery.

The need to address the state’s dire budget situation was further underscored by a new report released by the credit rating agency, Fitch Ratings. In a Jan. 5 report, Fitch emphasized the importance of reining in the state’s Medicaid and pension obligations, and pursuing long-term solutions to finance state government operations.

Illinois’ ongoing budget woes continue to be the preeminent issue facing state leaders. Senator Johnson said that when the 2012 legislative session gets underway later this month, one issue is likely to overshadow all others – the continuously weak position of the Illinois state budget.

That was reinforced when the Governor's Office of Management and Budget on Jan. 3 released preliminary revenue and spending projections for the next three fiscal years. While Governor Quinn isn't scheduled to deliver his formal budget address until February 22, the projections emphasize the severity of the financial challenges facing Illinois.

More than 200 new laws, covering everything from local library boards to murder, will go into effect on January 1, according to State Sen. Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago).

Among the more notable measures are bills that would give citizens greater access to government information through the Internet, encourage the use of alternative energy sources, reduce regulations for home-based food businesses and allow motorcyclists to proceed through a red light if the tripping device fails to turn the light green after a reasonable time.

State lawmakers will return to Springfield beginning Dec. 12 and try once again to approve a package of tax law changes designed to prevent several major employers from fleeing the state, state Senator Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago) said.

The Illinois House plans to convene on Monday, Dec. 12, with the Senate going into session the next day. Senator Johnson said that while Republican lawmakers continue to negotiate with the Governor and the Democrat majority to craft the changes, there is frustration among GOP lawmakers who warned their Democrat colleagues last year that the 67% tax increase approved in January 2011 would have a disastrous effect on Illinois' jobs climate.

Threatened closures of seven state facilities were averted when lawmakers returned to Springfield Nov. 29 and approved a compromise plan that rearranged the state budget but did not increase total spending for the cash-strapped state, State Sen. Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago) said.

However, no agreement could be reached between the Senate and House on a legislative package designed to provide tax benefits for major Illinois corporations that have threatened to leave Illinois unless the state offers compelling financial incentives.

In other major legislative action during the week, lawmakers passed targeted pension reforms aimed at ending abuses by some union officials and approved a series of critical work-rule changes at Chicago's McCormick Place exhibition authority.

This week, a House legislative committee met to receive testimony on proposed tax incentives for Illinois businesses, while in other news State Sen. Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago) said recently released pension information shows the state’s annual pension obligation is set to increase by one billion dollars next fiscal year.

Lawmakers are scheduled to return to Springfield on Nov. 29 to discuss several outstanding issues, including ongoing budget concerns and proposed tax breaks for Illinois’ employers. However, as legislators work to address budget issues for the current fiscal year, a new report shows the state is facing significant pension expenses in Fiscal Year 2013.

State Senator Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago) is reminding constituents that tuition waivers are available for the children of Veterans from the University of Illinois.

From the University of Illinois:

A tuition waiver is available for natural or legally adopted children of a living, disabled or deceased veteran living in Illinois.  The waiver may be used at any University of Illinois campus.  Up to six waivers per Illinois county are awarded each year, one for each of the following conflicts: World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam Conflict, Southwest Asia Conflict, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Grandchildren of veterans are not eligible for tuition waivers.  Applications will be available beginning December 1, 2011.  Students need to apply before March 1, 2012.  To learn more about this tuition waiver, go to: https://secure.admin.illinois.edu/osfa/scholarship-database/detail.aspx?id=1522

Any questions can be directed to The Office of Student Financial Aid at 217-333-0100.

Legislative leaders and Gov. Pat Quinn met this week hoping to make progress on pending issues before the second week of the fall veto session.

State Sen. Tom Johnson (R- West Chicago) said state leaders discussed business tax relief and other incentives for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group (CME) and Sears, as well as small and mid-sized businesses. CME has threatened to leave Illinois if lawmakers fail to address what the company says is a significant tax burden imposed by the Democrats’ January 2011 tax hike, while Sears is seeking an extension to an expiring multi-million dollar incentive package the state passed in 1989 to persuade the company to remain in Illinois.

In other anticipated veto action, a gaming bill may still be on the table. Following a leaders meeting Nov. 3, the Senate President indicated a revised gaming bill could very well be considered next week. Reportedly, discussions between legislative sponsors and Quinn, coupled with reforms suggested by the gaming board, have led to progress on a gaming bill compromise.

Lawmakers finished the first week of the fall Veto Session passing “smart grid” legislation, though State Sen. Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago) says work on some major issues—pension reform, gaming and business tax incentives—still continues behind the scenes.

Also during the week, the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) issued a favorable opinion for four state facilities the Quinn Administration is seeking to close.

Lawmakers will return to Springfield October 25 to begin the fall 2011 veto session, said State Sen. Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago). Though Gov. Pat Quinn used his veto powers to reject or alter 30 bills, the General Assembly is expected to address a number of other issues, which may include a new or modified gaming package, an agreement on McCormick Place work rules, and numerous business incentive proposals.

This week, Quinn publicly rejected the gaming package approved by lawmakers during the Spring legislative session. The massive gambling bill (Senate Bill 744) has not been formally sent to the Governor for consideration; however, Quinn said in an Oct. 17 press conference that after careful review of the proposal, he believes it “has major flaws in it.”

Pension abuses continued to draw criticism this week, according to State Sen. Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago) while, in other news, legislative hearings are proceeding on Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposed closure of seven state facilities.

Residents of Chester and Murphysboro came out in full force Oct. 12 in support of ChesterMentalHealthCenter and IllinoisYouthCenter at Murphysboro. Southern Illinois legislators on both sides of the aisle rallied behind facility employees and members of the communities, who face economic uncertainty in the face of the pending closures.

The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) held its first public hearing this week on the Governor’s plan to close seven state facilities and lay off more than 1,900 state employees, said State Sen. Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago). An Oct. 5 hearing was held in Rockford on the proposed closure of the Singer Mental Health Center, while the next scheduled hearings will be held Oct. 12 in Murphysboro and Chester.

Hearings on the proposed closures will continue as planned, despite an Oct. 3 ruling by arbitrator Edwin Benn against Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposal to shutter seven mental health, developmentally disabled and correctional facilities. Benn found the plan violates a 2010 contractual agreement Quinn made with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employee (AFSCME) union.

Per the cost savings agreement between Quinn and the union, the state’s financial obligations to AFSCME were reduced; in exchange the Quinn Administration agreed not to lay off any AFSCME members through June 30, 2012, or to close any state facilities through July 1, 2012.

This week, a report from The Civic Federation on Illinois’ Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12) budget confirms what State Sen. Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago) and Senate Republicans have been saying for months— despite the Democrats’ January tax hike, the state’s deficit and bill backlog continues to grow.

While Illinois taxpayers were sold a tax increase as a way to solve the state’s financial problems, the FY12 deficit still exceeds the state’s FY11 deficit. Senate GOP lawmakers have consistently said that the tax increase will not solve Illinois’ fiscal problems unless there are major changes in the state’s spending habits.  The Civic Federation backs up Senate Republican warnings, noting that despite the $7 billion in new revenue associated with the income tax increase, the FY12 budget is still approximately $455 million out of balance.

This week, news reports highlighted a recent survey that suggests Illinois’ business climate comes up short for business executives, while in other news State Sen. Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago) said lawmakers met to discuss the potential costs associated with the state’s forthcoming health benefits exchanges.

A special joint Senate and House committee met Sept. 21 in Chicago, to continue hearings on the impact of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). One purpose was to review a consultant’s report, released days earlier, which showed health insurance exchanges required by the new federal law could cost Illinois up to $89 million annually.

On Sept. 12, Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed legislation proponents say is needed to improve and modernize Illinois’ electric utility system. State Sen. Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago) said Quinn sided with opponents on the proposed “smart-grid” electric utility upgrade legislation, contending the plan allowed for excessive and burdensome cost increases for consumers, while giving Commonwealth Edison and Ameren too much autonomy when it comes to state oversight of utility regulation and rate increases.

Illinois was recently highlighted in a Forbes article criticizing the Obama administration’s efforts to block bi-partisan  Medicaid reforms, while in other news State Sen. Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago) said a state commission has begun to review the implementation of the state's federally-required health care exchange. Additionally, the Executive Ethics Commission approved contracts for all current state group health insurance providers including Health Alliance.

On Aug. 27, Forbes columnist Avik Roy wrote a column highlighting how the Obama administration is trying to block commonsense portions of Illinois' Medicaid reform package that passed in January. At issue is a pronouncement from Obama's Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rejecting reforms which simply require Medicaid applicants to provide some nominal proof of eligibility.

According to a recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Illinois lost 24,900 jobs in July—more than any other state in the nation. In fact, State Sen. Tom Johnson (R-West Chicago) said Illinois lost a combined 32,200 jobs in June and July, even more than notoriously bad job states California and Ohio, which both added jobs during those months.

Also during the week, following a number of hearings held throughout northern Chicago, on Aug. 25 the Illinois Tollway board approved a plan that will nearly double tolls for I-pass users.

According to the BLS, the number of employed in Illinois continues to drop, and the state’s unemployment rate has increased to 9.5 percent. Illinois’ unemployment now exceeds the national unemployment rate.