Quinn: No Funds For You If I Can't Borrow

By aaroncynic in News on Apr 29, 2011 6:00PM

Gov. Quinn threatened to withhold monthly payments to Chicago and other cities and towns in Illinois if legislators do not allow him to borrow billions for the state. The Chicago Tribune got ahold of a confidential memo from the governor's office that outlined a proposal the governor hopes would put pressure on lawmakers via town mayors. The monthly payments are cities' share of state income taxes, which add up to more than $1 billion a year. Chicago gets about $220 million.

Though Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle both declined to comment, suburban mayors have already spoken out against Quinn's plan. Mayor Dave Kaptain of Elgin told the Trib “I don't like being threatened and I don't work real well under those circumstances.” Mayor Ed Zabrocki of Tinley Park said “To me, it sounds like they're holding us hostage.” Quinn asked for $4.5 billion to pay off back due bills for the state. Budget Director David Vaught told the Trib mayors and community leaders need to “come help us get the debt restructured, and then you would get paid.”