Comment on these letters by clicking here

Capitol Fax

Rich Miller's commentary on State Government

It's tough to find people who truly believe that Gov. Pat Quinn will ultimately pull the trigger and give the go-ahead to draconian budget cuts in the coming fiscal year in order to force a tax hike. But his people insist it's coming, and the administrative planning does appear to be moving forward with all deliberate speed.

The governor has basically three choices. He could veto the budget approved by the General Assembly and force a showdown overtime session. The budget only funds half of social service programs for next fiscal year. A veto would create an immediate confrontation, but it would also put him in the same sort of league with Rod Blagojevich, and Quinn doesn't want or need that comparison. Plus, the overtime session could drag on for weeks as the leaders try to put together another budget plan. And until there is a plan, the Republicans will face no real pressure to act. Instead, they'll get daily opportunities to bash Quinn and the Democrats.

Quinn is also being urged to treat the "50 percent budget" as if it's really a six-month budget. This plan would put off a vote on taxes until next year. But the governor's office maintains that this can't legally be done.

The third option is to sign the budget into law as is, which will lead to horrific cuts. That's the direction Quinn is heading. Yes, he has appeared to back off of some big fights. And, yes, he's a deeply liberal and religious man who abhors the very idea of massive cuts, particularly the billions of dollars slashed from human service grant programs.

"I don't believe in holding the Sword of Damocles over the heads of innocent people," Quinn said last week.

But that mythical sword will soon become all too real. At least two state prisons are reportedly on the chopping block. Thousands of state employees could be laid off if the union doesn't agree to other cutbacks. Quinn claimed last week that the cuts to private human service agency grants alone would result in 200,000 job losses.

Quinn will have to hope that the threat of doom will be enough to move legislators to action. "I'm disappointed that we aren't having enough urgency," Quinn said. Urgency will assuredly hit the fan soon.

Threats alone may not work. Legislators have heard doomsday warnings for years and nothing has ever come of it. Late last year, many were predicting a government shutdown by the spring because the legislature had adjourned with a $2+ billion deficit and revenues were tanking right along with the economy. Didn't happen.

Once they've been around for awhile, legislators realize that almost everybody they deal with is somehow always in crisis mode. "If the state doesn't do 'X' then catastrophe is certain." But those catastrophes never seem to come.

Quinn's first attempt at threatening doomsday last month was met with bored yawns. The bottom line was nobody took him seriously. And they still don't.

Quinn appeared to run from a tough fight with the teachers and public employee unions when he succumbed way too soon on a plan to force workers to pay more into their pension plans.

The lifelong reformer has been excoriated by reform groups for "caving" to the old bulls on campaign finance reform.

If you look weak in this business, you are weak.

His repeated public homilies to the poor and the outcast make people believe he won't play a role in their devastation. Therefore, his warnings probably won't work. He'll likely have to just go ahead and do it.

The governor should take a moment and reread Cicero's timeless story about that infamous sword. The actual lesson is that the powerful are not as happy as they may seem because they are under constant, perilous threat.

"There can be nothing happy for the person over whom some fear always looms," Cicero explained.

Pat Quinn has been on the outside mocking the insiders all his adult life, and now he's gotten what he always wanted and is on top of the heap, only to look up and see a gigantic sword dangling by a thread over his head. The peasant Damocles had envied the king's power, but he panicked and fled at the sight of the sword hanging above the throne.

In the coming days we're gonna find out what Pat Quinn is really made of.

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

Culture Wars

The only thing shocking about the recent murder of the Kansas abortionist is that it hadn't happened sooner, and that a greater number of similar incidents hadn't occurred previously. The removal of explosive issues from the political arena via judicial fiat, followed by the demonization and marginalization of one side of the still-festering culture wars, inevitably results in the radicalization of debate. That radicalization produces, first, a crisis of legitimacy for our political institutions, then a slippage of civil discourse, whereby attempts to arrive at a consensus are supplanted by dead-end forms of activism, a heightened sense of polarization, and finally even terror.

John Jankowski,

Stockton, IL

Ten Years 'Running'

It is an honor that the Old Settlers' Days theme, Ten Years Running, recognizes the success of Lanark's Raging Road Rally 5K Run/Walk. I am writing to let you and your readers know more about this year's event.

It doesn't seem possible that ten years have passed . . . I'll never forget Tanya's and my nerves that first year with a 20 minute rain delay. Since then, hundreds have participated and along with all the fun, (remember lawn decorations at 5 years and the 50 flamingo salute?) we've managed to donate $27, 520 to the American Cancer Society; something for everyone to be proud of.

In recognition of our 10th anniversary, some friends have helped me sponsor ten amazing grand prizes: jelly cupboard from The Hollow Fencepost, diamond necklace, bags game, etc. A complete list and some of the items can be viewed at Exchange State Bank. ANYONE who registers for the race qualifies to win a prize . . . even if you don't run or walk the course. So, signing up for the Raging Road Rally is almost like buying a raffle ticket. On top of that, you get an amazing t-shirt AND your registration helps the American Cancer Society. In my opinion, it is well worth the $15 registration fee ($18 day of race) just to get the unique race shirt. It is definitely one of a kind and I can't wait to show it off!

Forms can be picked up at Exchange State Bank, On The Move Fitness, and at www.rockriverroadrunners.org The race starts at 6:45 p.m. on June 26 near the fire station. Late registration takes place at On The Move Fitness starting at 5:00 p.m. At approximately 8:00 in the park under the big tent near the stage, we will announce the 5K winners, recognize participants who have walked/run all 10 years and our financial sponsors. We will also draw for the 10 grand prizes and collect any donations for the ACS. Those who wish to donate can write checks to the ACS or Raging Road Rally.

I am anticipating an amazing event and look forward to celebrating "Ten Years Running."

Sincerely,

LeAndra Hartman

Co-Founder

Raging Road Rally

Lanark, IL

Our Alice in Wonderland Congress:

Why we're broke

A half a billion dollars here and a half a billion there and pretty soon you're talking about real money. While going through the leadership report I see H. R. 2346 to conference committee; title: Supplemental Appropriations. So I decided to take a look.

The bill is about funding the United States Aid for International Development, known as USAID. USAID has not had a sterling reputation and has been accused of funding projects that are intended to oust people friendly governments and replace them with corporate friendly governments; a charge I am sure they would deny. Thus my interest in scanning the bill.

Money to help Burmese suffering from typhoon Nargis, good. Money to help relive Haitians from the economic downturn, good; they've suffered greatly and we should try to help. So down the list I go. Finally I come to a section entitled: "Foreign Military Financing Program." WOW!! Here's where the really big spending begins!

Item One: ". . . not less than $555,000,000 shall be available for grants only for Israel and shall be distributed within 30 days of the enactment of this Act " Why?

Why no clause making it contingent on stopping all settlement activity? Why, when we are broke and have to borrow the money and pay interest on it, should we be giving more than half a billion dollars to the government of Israel so it can ignore world opinion and continue allowing "natural growth" in occupied territory while denying the same "natural growth" to the Palestinians?

Whether or not we should be giving the money is one question, but another is why should we be funding opposition to our own foreign policy?

Arthur C. Donart

Thomson, Illinois

Cuts to Children's Services the Wrong Step

Carroll County programs for young children will be cut in the state's proposed 50% budget. Either we will have to cut Early Step Preschool and Right Steps Parent Education to 200 families or close our doors in February. The worth of these programs has been proven many times through research and families' personal stories. If every child is to read by third grade, we have to begin education during the first five years when optimum brain development is taking place. We must enlist parents as partners since they are their children's first teachers.

Cutting these programs will not save the state money. First the investment in developing effective and excellent programs over the past 22 years will be lost. Investments in high quality children's education reduce welfare and criminal justice costs as they reach adulthood and also become contributing taxpayers. In the short term they will increase unemployment costs by laying off thousands of teachers and parent educators statewide. I am proud to work with the early childhood staff here in Carroll County. They work hard every day, volunteer many extra hours and donate materials in order to give the best to families. Their dedication and experience in working towards a better world cannot be lost.

The human services to be cut are not for freeloaders "milking the system." The vast majority of families who are in our program are working families struggling to make ends meet. What follows are some of the consequences if this 50% budget is used to close the deficit:

Education ­ $1.5 billion cut ­ Over 14,300 teachers laid off

· Cut school aid by $568 million, causing more than 9,300 teachers to lose their jobs.

· Eliminate preschool for 100,000 children, causing more than 5,000 teachers to lose their jobs.

Higher Education ­ $554 million cut ­ Over 400,000 students affected

· Eliminate all state scholarships, including MAP grants, making college less affordable for 400,000 students.

Healthcare ­ $1.2 billion cut ­ Over 650,000 people lose healthcare

· Eliminate healthcare for 300,000 children and 175,000 parents, and Rx assistance for 172,000 seniors.

· Eliminate all healthcare subsidies for 78,000 retired teachers, university and state employees.

Seniors ­ $368 million cut ­ Over 271,000 seniors affected

· Cut Community Care program in half - 26,000 seniors would not receive services to help remain in their homes.

· Eliminate Elder Abuse and Neglect program - 11,000 cases would not be investigated.

· Eliminate Circuit Breaker program, cutting property tax relief for 271,000 seniors.

Veterans ­ $27 million cut ­ Over 150,000 veterans affected and 1,000 kicked out of veterans' homes

· Close all four Illinois veterans' homes, leaving over 1,000 veterans without critical care.

· Eliminate Traumatic Brain Injury & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder counseling and assistance program.

Public Safety ­ $294 million cut ­ Nearly 1,000 State Troopers laid off and 6,000 inmates released early.

· Lay off nearly 1,000 State Troopers -50 percent of the force - and eliminate the 2010 class of 100 cadets.

· Release over 6,000 inmates early and close the Sheridan and Southwestern Drug Treatment facilities.

· Close four Department of Juvenile Justice facilities and release over 500 juveniles early.

Human Services ­ $769 million cut ­ Over 100,000 people affected

· Eliminate home services for 5,000 people with disabilities.

· Eliminate addiction treatment and prevention for 45,000 people.

· Close one out of every five Illinois Department of Human Services offices.

· Eliminate child care for 1,000 kids and increase co-pays for remaining children.

Economic Development ­ $549 million cut ­ Every mass transit district affected

· Eliminate all state funding for public transit and AMTRAK.

Agriculture and Natural Resources ­ $98 million cut ­ 60 parks and every museum closed

· Shut down half of the state parks and lay off one-third of frontline park staff, and close state museums.

· Eliminate state funding for Springfield and Du Quoin state fairs, 4-H and county fairs.

Local Government ­ $1 billion cut

· Eliminate state funding for local governments, reducing their ability to fund core services like law enforcement, fire service and garbage collection and offices like public defenders, county treasurers and state's attorneys.

Additional­ $1.1 billion cut

· Require additional deep reductions in agency services, eliminate support for numerous specialized programs and eliminate dozens of state boards, offices, commissions and agencies.

Although no one wants to see taxes increase this may have to be part of the solution. Informed citizens should know that Illinois income tax is one of the lowest in the country. We currently pay 3% of our federal adjusted gross income. In other states, people of modest income pay between 4.5% to 8.25% on every dollar earned. Go to the web address http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/228.html to see these rates.

Legislators must reject a final budget with cuts to early childhood programs (and many others). Please contact the legislators who will be making these decisions: Representative Madigan, Representative Cross, Senator Christine Radogno and Governor Quinn. In addition please let Representative Boland know your thoughts since he voted for the budget that cuts human services. If you have time send a thank you to Senator Cullerton, Senator Sacia and Senator Jacobs for their support of human services. All contact information can be found at www.ilga.gov or call our office at . The four legislative leaders met with Quinn Thursday June 4, 2009 to begin discussions. Stay updated on their decisions throughout the next month.

Sincerely

Paula Thoele

Project Director

Carroll County Early Childhood Programs

2215 Wacker Road

Savanna, IL 61074

Capitol Report

By Jim Sacia, State Representative, 89th District

Following my retirement as an FBI Agent in 1997, my wife, son and I started a small business. We took no government help ­ I'm a Capitalist and I like it that way. Our business has grown, and today employs twelve, all with good salaries and benefits.

I recently received an e-mail requesting that I visit a newly-started small business during an upcoming local function. It was a nice e-mail expressing appreciation for my hard work. Five days later in a seething newspaper letter to the editor, that same person blasted me for voting to raise a tax on a portion of that type of business. Here's the catch not mentioned in the letter: my vote was for the capital bill; a very overdue jobs bill totaling $28 billion and putting more than 300,000 Illinoisans back to work. Does this person really think I could pick and choose which parts to support of the total funding mechanism needed to put those 300,000 people back to work? My own business will pay more in taxes and fees-proportionately far more than the person writing the angry letter to the editor.

I am not big on government-subsidized business, but it seems to be a growing trend. As I said, I am a Capitalist, and in my opinion, Capitalism made this country great. I frankly don't like the path we are going down currently. A recent nationwide poll shows that only fifty three percent of Americans now believe in Capitalism. As we continue to create more and more government programs and subsidies, we slide further away from those willing to be risk-takers - to throw caution to the wind and start a real business rather than count on the government to support them. If I thought for a minute that the desperately-needed capital plan would truly injure the business of the local entrepreneur writing the editorial, I would not have supported it.

My good friend Attorney Dan Gilbert from Rockford shared the following with me:

Norman Thomas (1884-1968) was a leading American Socialist, pacifist and six-time presidential candidate for the Socialist Party. In 1944 he stated "The American people will never knowingly accept Socialism. But, under the name of "Liberalism", they will adopt every fragment of the socialist programs until one day America will be a socialist nation without knowing how it happened". Hello Americans, I think we are there!

As gas prices continue to escalate for forty three consecutive days the question I often hear is: Why? I don't claim to be an economist, but there are those who agree that the $2.7 trillion spent by this country in the past five months on stimulus programs and bail-out plans has made the value of our dollar plummet in the world markets. Gas prices inevitably shoot up. Next will be interest rates. Hang on folks, we are in for a ride.

I will be at the Market House in Galena June 19, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. unless we are called back into session.

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