Gov. Quinn To Avoid Budget Cuts To Education, Health Care

By aaroncynic in News on Jan 4, 2012 5:40PM

A preview of Governor Quinn’s budget shows that he will attempt to avoid cutting education and health care, but will have to make cuts in other areas. The Chicago Tribune reports Quinn would need to slash areas other than education about 9 percent. Illinois state Republicans pointed out the budget preview shows Quinn plans on spending $507 million more than the state currently draws in revenue. Senate Republican leader Christine Radogno said Quinn needs "to take the bull by the horns if there is any hope for a balanced budget."

In September Quinn had threatened to close several mental health facilities and layoff 1,900 employees, but he agreed not to in December. Budget director David Vaught told the Trib “In cash terms, sure, we’re behind, and we need to catch up.” The biggest budget problem currently lies in costs which need to be paid before the end of the fiscal year on June 30, and a backlog of bills worth $6 billion. The governor is scheduled to release his full proposal on Feb. 22.

In the meantime, Crain's wonders if investors are "hungry for new Illinois debt." The state will start selling off $750 million in long-term bonds for construction projects in March after the full budget is released. The state starts accepting contractors' bids on those projects on Jan. 11.