The Illinois Policy Institute is raising concern about the state’s budget, and reports that “many no longer care what’s in the budget. They just want to pass ‘something’ so they can go home and tell their constituents and local media that ‘the impasse is over.’”
It’s important, the institute said, that lawmakers and citizens remain focused on a budget that serves the best interests of the state. John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, offered key points to refocus the budget discussion.
Tillman called for compromise, but warned that “agreeing to keep alive facets of a broken state government that will never, ever work ‘in the spirit of compromise’ is not a virtue.”
Additionally, the institute contended that Illinois cannot attain prosperity as long as spending outpaces revenue. At the same time, Tillman called for relief from the heavy tax burden borne by homeowners in the state with one of the highest property tax rates in the nation.
The institute said education, Medicaid, and workers’ compensation should be on the chopping block or are in need of “sweeping” reforms. Tillman wrote lawmakers need to be honest about pension funds for state employees and to admit that the current system cannot be saved or repaired.
“Within these parameters, there is ample room for policy creativity — and compromise,” Tillman wrote. “Adhering to them would at long last begin the process of breaking the failed status quo and blazing a path toward a bright future for Illinois.”
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