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Capitol Fax

Rich Miller's commentary on State Government

Usually when polls are taken about tax hikes, the respondents are "informed" about the benefits of raising more government money, whether it's for education, public services or what have you. So, not surprisingly, those polls regularly show lots of support for tax increases.

But a recent poll of 800 Illinois voters taken this month on behalf of the Illinois Coalition for Jobs, Growth & Prosperity, a business group, only asked whether Illinoisans favored raising taxes to balance the state's budget.

Since the state is in such a deep hole, that's pretty much all any tax hike will go for anyway - and it won't even fully accomplish that. And since most people don't pay a great deal of attention to state government, that's all they probably know about the tax hike plan anyway.

So, the results probably won't surprise you.

A whopping 73 percent opposed hiking taxes to balance the budget, while only 23 percent supported the concept.

According to the poll, 82 percent of Illinoisans believe that the governor and lawmakers have not done enough to control state spending. That's also not a surprising number. Very few governments ever do "enough" to control spending.

The poll asked lots of questions about forcing someone else to bear the brunt of the multi billion dollar budget deficit nightmare this state faces.

Cut pension benefits for newly hired state workers? 72 percent agreed. Force the state employees union to reopen its contract and renegotiate pay raises? 74 percent said "Heck yes." Require unpaid furloughs for state employees? 65 percent were on board. Make state workers pay more for health care? 65 percent wanted it. Roll back Medicaid eligibility a bit? 72 percent were for it.

The survey asked just one specific question about "shared sacrifice." Human beings tend to want somebody else to carry the load, so the answer to this question wasn't all that amazing, either.

"Would you support closing state facilities like aged prisons, state parks, historic sites until the state's finances improve?" the pollster asked.

"No" was the overwhelming response. Almost three-quarters, 74 percent, said they don't want those facilities to close during the budget meltdown.

Well, too bad.

You can't come close to balancing the budget - currently estimated at $9.2 billion in the hole - even if the General Assembly enacted all the spending reforms so widely supported in that poll. It would barely make a dent.

The only real way to close that gaping hole is to do the things that three-quarters of Illinoisans don't want, and a whole lot more.

I assume that if voters were asked the same question about closing down rape treatment centers, drug abuse rehab facilities, scholarship funds for college students and programs for autistic and handicapped children the "No" responses might be even higher.

What about daycare for financially strapped single mothers struggling to get on their feet? Home care for the elderly? The "No" responses would probably be off the charts.

We assume that because we live in the richest nation in the world that devastating governmental shut-downs like those listed above shouldn't happen and couldn't happen.

Unfortunately, times have changed. Gross mismanagement by Rod Blagojevich (a governor who was elected twice, by the way) and the worst economic climate since the Great Depression mean that one of two things has to happen:

1) Those programs and facilities listed above and many, many more are going to have to be shut down; or

2) Taxes will have to be raised and many of those programs might still have to be shuttered because the budget hole is so big.

I keep seeing newspaper editorials, columnists and letters to the editor practically begging for some sort of magic solution to this problem. Can't something be done without raising taxes and still preserve vital programs and public facilities?

No.

You have to cut where the spending is.

There is no magic bullet. President Barack Obama has said the states aren't getting any more bailouts. Our state Constitution, which Illinois voters overwhelmingly refused to change last year, requires a balanced budget.

Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and thecapitolfaxblog.com

BHRC&D Broadband Development

The Broadband Task Force has been working hard over the past months assembling data/information with the intention to submit a grant application for broadband development funding for Northwest Illinois to the Department of Commerce and the Department of Agriculture. As a part of the national stimulus efforts under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture have been allocated an aggregate 7.2 billion dollars to spur the growth of broadband services and infrastructure throughout the nation.

The Blackhawk Hills RC&D Council in cooperation with the Regional Development Institute at Northern Illinois University (NIU) and the TriRivers Health Network are partnering to develop a regional plan, consistent with the goals of the stimulus package, which seeks to bring or increase broadband services to unserved and underserved areas of the United States. The stimulus plan also encourages regional partnerships and we will invite the private sector providers to participate in this effort. The Regional Development Institute at NIU will be providing technical assistance in the grant application process.

We are asking each of the six counties in our area for a resolution supporting this project. We will be asking that each county commit $1000 for this project to assist with the funding needed to assemble the grant application by NIU (See the 13-page Project Proposal on-line at www.pacc-news.com). Many details are yet to be determined by the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture regarding the process for securing broadband stimulus funds, but we expect further information will be forthcoming in the next few weeks and months.

We know the application process will be competitive and we are anticipating support from many sectors of the region including county government, law enforcement, municipalities, health care, utilities, education, libraries, businesses and current providers of broadband services.

Bill Tonne

President

Blackhawk Hills RC&D

Support Our Troops Video

I just viewed the Supporting our Troops video that you put on the website in conjunction with our Chadwick Days celebration.

THANK YOU SO MUCH! That turned out really nice and I'm hoping it will generate some other folks who view it to consider taking up the cause as well.

I guess the only thing I forgot to say was that no matter what your opinion is on the war; we feel it is important to support our soldiers who are serving. That is our goal and I hope others will join us.

We greatly appreciate the time you took to tape and post the video.

Sue Smith

Troop Mailing Coordinator for 1st Lutheran Church,

Chadwick, IL

(The video can be viewed at www.pacc-news.com, as well as a host of others!)

State Budget Spells Disaster for Elderly

Lorraine is a homecare aide in Carroll County and has two elderly clients for whom she does laundry, light housekeeping, some personal care and various other non-medical tasks. Both clients receive services funded by the Illinois Department on Aging's Community Care Program (CCP). Sometimes Lorraine escorts her clients to doctor appointments and other errands. Lorraine is just one of about 19,000 homecare aides providing care to over 53,000 clients in Illinois. Lorraine enjoys and also needs her job to support her family.

Lorraine can expect to see a reduction in her weekly paycheck or possibly no paycheck because the state's "Doomsday" budget passed by the General Assembly calls for cuts of up to 50% to state programs including health care, prescription drug assistance and programs providing critical community services such as the ones that Lorraine's clients rely on for everyday living. Mrs. Jones is a widow living on a fixed income of less than $17,500 and lives in rural Carroll County in a house she has lived in for the past fifty years. It's is her home and where she wants to be. With only a nephew whom she has not seen in twenty years and who lives out of state, Mrs. Jones relies heavily on the community services that address her basic needs. Mrs. Jones' homecare aide helps her with assistance with personal care and laundry. The homecare aide (HCA) also does light housekeeping, prepares meals and does grocery shopping and other errands. The HCA also escorts her to the doctor when necessary. In addition, because Mrs. Jones has no immediate family, her HCA means she has some social interaction.

At 85 years of age, Mrs. Jones has been able to age in place with dignity. That is until now. Gone will be services that have provided a safe living condition for Mrs. Jones and others because Springfield passed a budget that is not only inadequate, but shows little regard for those most vulnerable.

Under the budget, the alternatives for Mrs. Jones are few. She can enter an institutional care facility which has a much higher cost to the state or to go without critical services and hope for the best. Her home will no longer be a safe haven. There are 53,000 Illinois' elderly just like Mrs. Jones who will have their lives turned upside down because of the budget that was passed in Springfield.

While the state's financial resources must be taken into account, cutting programs that are highly effective in saving the state money does not make sound fiscal sense.

"Reducing expenditures of cost efficient programs such as the Community Care Program only boosts up costs the state must pay out for institutional care. There has been enough research done to show that community based programs are more cost effective" says, Sandra Julifs President/CEO of Tri-County Opportunities Council.

The typical client plan of care for a CCP client averages 15 hours per week for a monthly cost of about $937. The average monthly cost for a nursing home is $3,100 for room and board.

Cutting back on programs also means a cutting back of jobs which further impact the state by adding to an already escalated unemployment. Homecare aides like Lorraine, who need their job to support their families, will be forced into state assistance programs which only add to state expenses.

Illinois Association of Community Care Program Homecare Providers opposes the "Doomsday" budget that was passed as being unbalanced in making drastic cuts that will hurt real people while ignoring much need reform in other areas. Putting the lives of seniors at risk is just not right.

Sue Bohenstengel

IACCPHP

(The Association was founded in 1987 by CCP providers of in-home services as an advocate for the most disadvantaged ­ low income seniors. Members include small and large non-profit and profit agencies including Tri-County Opportunities Council. The collective wisdom that our seniors represent is an under recognized and valued resource).

Walking the Talk for Freedom

Kurt Kallenbach is Walking the Talk from his home in Rockford IL to Washington D.C. Kurt says, "Due to the political assaults on the Declaration of Independence, The United States Constitution, and individual rights, I have decided to take a walk from my green house in Rockford, Illinois to a White House in the Kingdom of Washington D.C. I feel that the time has come for Americans to aggressively remind all those holding elected office, that it is We the People, not they, the elected, who ultimately decide the fate of this wonderful country."

You can check watch Kurt's progress at http://www.walkthetalk.us/ Kurt and his wife Debbie, who is driving behind, are doing this at their own expense. Kurt has been interviewed on radio and by newspapers along the way and is talking to concerned Americans every day.

If you would like to make a donation to support his effort, you can go to Paypal and send a donation to his email address WalktheTalk.us@gmail.com or email him and ask for other ways to donate. Thanks for supporting Kurt and Deb!

Rogene Hamilton

Pecatonica, IL

Guest Commentary . . .

Sharing the Burden ­ All of Us, Not Just a Few

Imagine you were facing a 50-percent cut in your income and had to decide what you could and couldn't provide for your family. What would that be like?

Now imagine the plight hundreds of human service agencies that are trying to continue services to thousands of their clients while being told their state funding will be cut in half starting July 1st. What would that look like?

During tough economic times we are all affected. But the message coming out of Springfield seems to be that while we are all to be affected, certain agencies ­ namely human service agencies - should shoulder a greater amount of the burden of funding cuts.

Please contact your legislators and the Governor to questions the fairness of this approach.

We have received communications from the departments of Mental Health, Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Children and Family Services detailing proposed budget cuts of anywhere from 50-100%, totaling $2.0 million! If those cuts come to pass, 1,700 clients that we would have served will go without!

While Illinois' human service agencies are being slashed to the bone, other departments of the state are going untouched. For example:

· Full funding for all state employee payroll costs, including funds for a minimum of 4% salary increases for union employees

· Fully funded Medicaid grants for Physicians, Hospitals and Nursing Homes.

· Increase in operation costs for public universities and community colleges; spending in these areas actually increased.

· Increased funding for major elementary and secondary education grants such as general state aid and special education.

While these areas of state are important too, clearly there is not an equal sharing of the burden.

The lawmakers we have elected need to step up and do the right thing, not the "business as usual" thing. The purpose of government is to protect the common good and it is time that our legislative leaders and the people of our state start thinking about that charge.

We all, collectively, have a responsibility to each other and we can no longer afford to let greed and selfishness be our guide. Helping the mentally ill, those fighting addiction, providing appropriate, affordable day care, housing and transportation, providing affordable and adequate healthcare ­ none of these come cheap. But the cost of not doing them far outweighs the cost of providing them.

Cutting vital human service programs simply balances Illinois' budget on the backs of those who can least afford it.

As lawmakers return to Springfield, it is my hope that the leaders that we have elected will do what is right, not simply what will get them re-elected.

Does this mean implementing a sales tax increase? Maybe. Does it mean more equitably distributing budget cuts to ALL state agencies? I hope so!

I ask that if you haven't already done so, please contact your legislators, representatives and Governor Quinn. Ask them to restore full ­ and equitable ­ funding for all human service programs. For those who have already contacted the leadership, thank you.

The voice for human services here in Illinois needs to be heard, loud and clear. Some of our most vulnerable citizens can not fight for themselves ­ please help.

Sincerely,

James R. Sarver

President/CEO

Sinnissippi Centers, Inc.

Know Your Rights or You Will Lose Them

By John W. Whitehead?June 22, 2009

"It astonishes me to find... [that so many] of our countrymen... should be contented to live under a system which leaves to their governors the power of taking from them the trial by jury in civil cases, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of commerce, the habeas corpus laws, and of yoking them with a standing army. This is a degeneracy in the principles of liberty... which I [would not have expected for at least] four centuries."Thomas Jefferson, 1788

"Most citizens," writes columnist Nat Hentoff, "are largely uneducated about their own constitutional rights and liberties."

The following true incident is a case in point for Hentoff's claim. A young attorney, preparing to address a small gathering about the need to protect freedom, especially in the schools, wrote the text of the First Amendment on a blackboard. After carefully reading the text, a woman in the audience approached the attorney, pointed to the First Amendment on the board and remarked, "My, the law is really changing. Is this new?" The woman was a retired schoolteacher.

For more than 200 years, Americans have enjoyed the freedoms of speech, assembly, and religion, among others, without ever really studying the source of those liberties, found in the Bill of Rightsthe first ten amendments to our U. S. Constitution.

Yet never has there been a time when knowing our rights has been more critical and safeguarding them more necessary. Particularly telling is the fact that even under the Obama presidency, most of the Bush administration policies and laws that curtailed our freedoms have remained intactall of which have drastically altered the landscape of our liberties.

Thus, it is vital that we gain a better understanding of what Thomas Jefferson described as "fetters against doing evil." If not, I fear that with each passing day, what Jefferson called the "degeneracy" of "the principles of liberty" will grow worse until, half asleep, Americans will lose what our forefathers fought and died for.

A short summary of the first ten amendments shows how vital these freedoms are.

The First Amendment protects the freedom to speak your mind and protest in peace without being bridled by the government. It also protects the freedom of the media, as well as the right to worship and pray without interference. In other words, Americans cannot be silenced by the government.

The Second Amendment guarantees "the right of the people to keep and bear arms." This is one of the most controversial provisions of the Bill of Rights. Indeed, there are those who claim that gun ownership in America should be restricted solely to the police and other government officials. In many countries, owning a firearm is a mere privilege, reserved for the rich and powerful. Self-protection, however, is not a privilege in America. It is an individual citizen right which the U.S. Supreme Court has now recognized.

America was born during a time of martial law. British troops stationed themselves in homes and entered property without regard to the rights of the owners. That is why the Third Amendment prohibits the military from entering any citizen's home without "the consent of the owner." Even though today's military does not threaten private property, this amendment reinforces the principle that civilian-elected officials are superior to the military. But increasingly, even under the Obama presidency, the threat of martial law being imposed is a clear and present danger.

There's a knock at the door. The police charge in and begin searching your home. They invade your privacy, rummaging through your belongings. You may think you're powerless to stop them, but you're not. The Fourth Amendment prohibits the government from searching your home without a warrant approved by a judge. But what about other kinds of invasions? Your telephone, mail, computer and medical records are now subject to governmental search. Even though they're all personal and private, they are increasingly at risk for unwarranted intrusion by government agents. The ominous rise of the surveillance state threatens the protections given us by this amendment.

You cannot be tried again after having been found innocent. The government cannot try you repeatedly for the same crime, hoping to get the result they want. It's one of the legal protections of the Fifth Amendment. Moreover, you cannot be forced to testify against yourself. You can "plead the Fifth." This means that if you are accused of committing a crime, it is up to the state to prove its case against you. You are innocent until proven guilty, and government authorities cannot deprive you of your life, your liberty or your property without following strict legal codes of conduct.

The Sixth Amendment spells out the right to a "speedy and public trial." An accused person can confront the witnesses against him and demand to know the nature of the charge. The government cannot legally keep someone in jail for unspecified offenses.?Moreover, unlike many other countries, Americans also have the right to be tried by a jury of ordinary citizens and to be represented by an attorney. Our fates in criminal proceedings are not decided by panels of judges or unaccountable politicians.

Property ownership is a fundamental right of free people. In a legal dispute over property, the Seventh Amendment guarantees citizens the right to a jury trial.

Like any other American citizen, those accused of being criminals have rights under the Constitution as well. In some countries, the government abuses what they see as disloyal or troublesome citizens by keeping them in jail indefinitely on trumped-up charges. If they cannot pay their bail, then they're not released. The Eighth Amendment is, thus, similar to the Sixthit protects the rights of the accused. These are often the people most susceptible to abuse and who have the least resources to defend themselves. This amendment also forbids the use of cruel and unusual punishment.

The framers of our Constitution were so concerned about civil liberties that they wished to do everything conceivable to protect our future freedom. Some of the framers opposed a bill of rights because it might appear that these were the only rights the people possessed. The Ninth Amendment remedied that by providing that other rights not listed were nonetheless retained by the people. Our rights are inherently ours, and our government was created to protect them. The government does not, nor did it ever, have the power to grant us our rights. Popular sovereigntythe belief that the power to govern flows upward from the people rather than downward from the rulersis clearly evident in this amendment and is a landmark of American freedom.

Ours is a federal system of government. This means that power is divided among local, state and national entities. The Tenth Amendment reminds the national government that the people and the states retain every authority that is not otherwise mentioned in the Constitution. Congress and the President have increasingly assumed more power than the Constitution grants them. However, it's up to the people and the state governments to make sure that they obey the law of the land.

Having stood the test of time, there is little doubt that the Bill of Rights is the greatest statement for freedom ever drafted and put into effect. In the end, however, it is the vigilance of "we the people" that will keep the freedoms we hold so dear alive. Therefore, know your rights, exercise them freely or you're going to lose them.

Constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead is founder and president of The Rutherford Institute. His new book The Change Manifesto (Sourcebooks) is now available in bookstores and online. He can be contacted at johnw@rutherford.org. Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at www.rutherford.org

Abe Lincoln Quote

We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; while with others the same word may mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men's labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name liberty. And it follows that each of the things is, by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatible names - liberty and tyranny.

Abraham Lincoln Address at Baltimore 1864

CLIP & SAVE

Exercise Your Civil Rights . . .

Contact Illinois Leadership With Your Ideas, Concerns, and Opinions

Governor Pat Quinn

207 Statehouse

Springfield, IL 62706

(217) 782-0244

Email: http://illinois.gov/gov/contactthegovernor.cfm

Representative Michael Madigan

Speaker of the House

300 Capitol Building

Springfield, IL 62706

(217) 782-5350

Email: mmadigan@hds.ilga.gov

Representative Tom Cross

House Republican Leader

84th House District

24047 West Lockport Street, Suite 213

Plainfield, IL 60544

(815) 254-0000

Email: tom@tomcross.com

Senator Christine Radogno

Senate Minority Leader

41st Senate District

410 Main Street

Lemont, IL 60439

(630) 243-0800

Email: cradogno@sbcglobal.net

Senator John Cullerton

President of the Senate

327 Capitol Building

Springfield, IL 62706

(217) 782-2728

Email: john@johncullerton.com

State Senators

Senator Tim Bivins

45th Senate District

629 North Galena

Dixon, IL 61021

(815) 284-0045

Email: senatorbivins@grics.net

Representative Jerry Mitchell

90th House District

100 East 5th Street

Rock Falls, IL 61071

(815) 625-0820

Email: repjmitchell@comcast.net

Senator Brad Burzynski

35th Senate District

1101 DeKalb Avenue

Sycamore, Illinois 60178

(815) 895-6318

Email: senatorbrad@verizon.net

Senator Michael Jacobs

36th Senate District

606 19th Street

Moline, IL 61265

(309) 797-0001

Email: jacobs@senatedem.state.il.us

State Representatives

Representative Bob Pritchard

70th House District

2600 DeKalb Avenue, Suite C

Sycamore, IL 60178

(815) 748-3494

Email: bob@pritchardstaterep.com

Representative Mike Boland

71st House District

4416 River Drive

Moline, IL 61265

(309) 736-3360

Email: ilrepmikeboland@aol.com

Representative Jim Sacia

89th House District

50 West Douglas Street

Stewart Centre Suite 1001

Freeport, IL 61032

(815) 232-0774

Email: jimsacia@aeroinc.net

ALG files FOIA Request to Get Truth About Walpin Firing

June 18th 2009, Fairfax, VA ­ Americans for Limited Government today filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to get what it termed the "full, unvarnished truth" about the Obama Administration's controversial firing of AmeriCorps Inspector General Gerald Walpin.

"Mr. Obama is stonewalling," ALG president Bill Wilson said. "In direct violation of his own declaration 'In the face of doubt, openness prevails,' he has clearly instructed his minions to close ranks and refuse to tell the full, unvarnished truth about why he summarily fired Gerald Walpin despite the IG's long record of stalwart service."

Walpin was fired in late June after what all agree was a contentious board meeting in which he had questioned the oversight procedures of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). The AmeriCorps IG had taken issue with the usage of a grant for community related activities in which he believed was being used improperly by former N.B.A. star and current Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson.

When first questioned about the Walpin firing, the White House failed to provide a reason. Only later, after "Walpin-gate" became a major story in the media did Obama spokespersons offer a belated explanation, charging that Walpin was "confused" and "disoriented" at the May 20 board meeting. Both Walpin and at least one witness to the meeting have denied the charges.

"The White House response is nothing more than a mockery wrapped in a sham," Wilson said. The real intent of the firing is two-fold ­ first to stop the investigation of AmeriCorps malfeasance by an Obama crony, and, second, to send a message to AmeriCorps IG's nationwide that they are not to touch the 'Obama Youth Corps.'

"Knowing the stated intent of Mr. Obama to use AmeriCorp as his own 'civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded,' as the United States Army, his message to IG's nationwide is particularly disturbing," Wilson said.

The FOIA filed by ALG promises to leave no stone unturned in its pursuit of what actually occurred at the CNCS board meeting many now feel was set up to orchestrate Walpin's firing. According to the FOIA, ALG is demanding copies of "any records that may exist," including:

" any written, recorded, or graphic matter of any nature whatsoever, regardless of how recorded, and whether original or copy, including, but not limited to, the following: memoranda, reports, expense reports, books, manuals, instructions, financial reports, working papers, records, notes, letters, notices, confirmations, telegrams, receipts, appraisals, pamphlets, magazines, newspapers, prospectuses, interoffice and intra-office communications, electronic mail (e-mail), contracts, cables, notations of any type of conversation, telephone calls, meetings or other communications, bulletins, printed matter, computer printouts, teletypes, invoices, transcripts, diaries, analyses, returns, summaries, minutes, bills, accounts, estimates, projections, comparisons, messages, correspondence, press releases, circulars, financial statements, reviews, opinions, offers, studies and investigations, questionnaires and surveys, and work sheets (and all drafts, preliminary versions, alterations, modifications, revisions, changes, and amendments of any of the foregoing, as well as any attachments or appendices thereto), and graphic or oral records or representations of any kind (including without limitation, photographs, charts, graphs, voicemails, microfiche, microfilm, videotape, recordings and motion pictures), and electronic and mechanical records or representations of any kind (including, without limitation, tapes, cassettes, disks, computer server files, computer hard drive files, CDs, DVDs, memory sticks, and recordings) and other written, printed, typed, or other graphic or recorded matter of any kind of nature."

"We believe Barack Obama fired Gerald Walpin in order to provide cover for his misuse of AmeriCorps ­ aka, the Obama Youth Corps. And we believe he is now stonewalling the investigation of Walpin-gate in order to cover his tracks," Wilson said. "He would do well to remember the oft-repeated refrain after the Watergate scandal that felled an earlier president: It's not the crime, it's the cover up, that brings you down."

Americans for Limited Government is a non- partisan, nationwide network committed to advancing free market reforms,private property rights and core American liberties. For more information on ALG please call us at 703-383-0880 or visit our website at www.GetLiberty.org.

Phone 815-395-5710; FAX 815-395-5726

Email morrison@illinois.edu

Capitol Report

By Jim Sacia, State Representative, 89th District

The calls and e-mails are constant: "you must vote to raise taxes!"

On Monday, June 15th, Senator Bivins and I met with representatives of twelve local human service agencies, and each has a legitimate concern. To an agency, they have been told by their providers in Springfield that state funding cuts totaling at least 50% are coming. July 1st is "doomsday" for so many who provide such necessary functions for those who have nowhere else to turn. Their concern is justified. Governor Quinn has not signed this "keep the lights on" budget into law, but it is the only budget plan that has passed both the House and Senate. It's now being held up in the Senate by a parliamentary maneuver.

We are required by law to pass a balanced budget, but as you are aware, that hasn't been taken seriously for the past several years. You know that I dislike partisanship, but reality is reality. Republican leadership was not even allowed at the negotiating table until one week before our scheduled adjournment, and only then to be told that we must help pass a 50% income tax increase.

Why isn't that going to fly? Here's reality, folks: in the past six years Medicaid costs alone have increased 7.8% per year (47%) while the population of Illinois remained stagnant. During that same six year period, Medicaid has skyrocketed from representing about 30% of our $50 billion-plus budget to more than 40%. 2.5 million Illinoisans currently receive Medicaid, nearly 1/6th of the total population; some qualifying at 400% of the poverty level. Yes, that means a family making more than $80,000 per year could qualify. You, the taxpayers, pay $27 million a day for Medicaid.

Using our human service providers as pawns in the state budget chess match is the cruelest of jokes. Decimating their funding will undoubtedly generate hundreds of angry or pleading contacts to legislators.

Is there a better answer? How about this:

A 4% to 5% across the board cut of all state spending, starting with our salaries.

Open negotiations with AFSCME (state employee union). One union official reportedly told an area human service provider recently that they may forego their scheduled 4% pay increase if asked-ok, we're asking.

Immediately institute a two-tiered state pension system. New hires must come in under a less expensive system.

Work at consolidating our current 870 school districts in Illinois. I know this won't be easy. I spent eight years on a school board, two as president, and I know how hard it is to kill a mascot, a community's identity.

Get a handle on Medicaid. Covering those making up to 400% of the poverty level makes no sense. Medicaid is 40% of our current budget!

Eliminate senior free rides on mass transit. I'll go for a senior discount, but no more free rides.

Create additional gaming positions at existing riverboats and race tracks. Don't tell me it's immoral. What the 50% budget cut would do to human service providers is immoral.

Eliminate the Government Service Administration (GSA). I know, Governor Edgar tried years ago, but this must be addressed.

Consolidate the Treasurer's and Comptroller's offices. There's duplication there that isn't necessary.

Start taxing deli sandwiches sold at supermarkets at the same rate as your local fast food restaurant. What will that generate? Certainly hundreds of thousands of dollars statewide.

Good ideas? Don't they at least merit discussion?

As always, you can reach me, Sally or Barb at 815/232-0774 or e-mail us at jimsacia@aeroinc.net. You can also visit my website at www.jimsacia.com. It's always a pleasure to hear from you.

world wide web prairie advocate