Leatherneck Nation

I spend time looking at "Capitol Fax" and yesterday a member of the legislature stated that a disagreement over either 2 or 3 years of property tax freeze was all that kept one of the grand "bargains" from being approved. jc

The Senate's "Grand Bargain", as constructed by Cullerton and Radogno, was sailing along to passage until Rauner told the Republicans not to vote for it. That put a stop to it.

Article in today's paper mentioned that the public K-12 schools could be the next to receive zero funding. If that happens, schools will start shutting down once their money runs out.

A better Illinois depends on a strong higher education system.

From David W. Tretter, president of the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities, and a leader of the Illinois Coalition to Invest in Higher Education.

Our state is on a historic quest for a better economy, for a better tomorrow. Both political parties are adamant that Illinois must do more to create jobs, keep Illinoisans from fleeing the state and give our children hope that our best days are yet to come.

And yet every day, the longer the state’s budget impasse continues, the more one catalyst to that growth we all wish for pays a serious price: Our college and university campuses around Illinois.

In his latest budget address, Gov. Bruce Rauner again proposed cuts to higher education. He called for a small increase in funds for the Monetary Award Program, but MAP grants haven’t been funded this year. The last two years of devastating funding cuts to MAP grants and operating funds for Illinois colleges and universities have been only an extreme example of 15 years of defunding, devaluing and dismantling this state’s once nationally ranked higher education system.

Higher education has its perception problems: charges of inefficiency, duplicative programs and administrative bloat. But try telling the leaders of many communities around the state that those concerns are worth the costs of draconian funding cuts.

In Bloomington, the local impact is enormous from three local colleges and universities: $725 million, with more than 4,500 jobs. Just south in Decatur, nearly $200 million is generated from Millikin University and Richland Community College. From Rockford to Carbondale, Quincy to Champaign, and Springfield to the Metro East, colleges and universities drive local economies and prepare our next generation of leaders and workforce. Yet the longer this budget impasse runs, the more paralyzed our system becomes — and the more the costs of this crisis grow.

It’s too easy to ignore higher education’s value and benefits, because we take them for granted. As the state has cut more than $1 billion from 2000 to 2015 — 36.4 percent — in higher education funding and aid for students, we fail to appreciate how much a role colleges and universities play to provide higher average salaries, better health, longer employment, more tax support for local services, and much more.

As the House, Senate and governor debate approving a full-year budget or more short-term help through stopgap/lifeline solutions, higher education withers away. It’s not that our policymakers can’t recognize the need for urgent action when economic crisis rears its head. When Exelon, Sears and CME needed help, or when other businesses asked for incentives to stay and expand here, those calls were heard and addressed. Why not higher education? After all, it’s a mammoth employer: $50 billion in economic impact annually, with 800,000 students and 175,000 employees in more than 200 locations.

As the discussion at the Capitol centers on Illinois’ economic recovery and building a stronger workforce and tax base, slashing higher ed is hypocritical, counterproductive and digging our hole deeper. Students are choosing out-of-state schools or skipping college altogether. Others are deciding not to come back after going away for school. Talented faculty and staff are laid off and leaving for better opportunities elsewhere. And with each blow, the recovery takes much longer than the initial damage.

Until the trend in funding for higher education is reversed, the promise of a better Illinois is an illusion. A state without a plan is a state with a very dim future.

Neckfansince71 wrote: Tue Jun 06, 2017 9:12 am I spend time looking at "Capitol Fax" and yesterday a member of the legislature stated that a disagreement over either 2 or 3 years of property tax freeze was all that kept one of the grand "bargains" from being approved. jc

Sickening on many levels.

More bad news was announced today.

The state’s budget deficit will top $6.2 billion for the fiscal year through June 30, forecasters for the Illinois General Assembly estimated Wednesday.

In a review requested by Rep. David McSweeney, the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability said if Illinois goes a third full year without a budget agreement, the state’s leviathan of past-due bills will hit $22.7 billion. It sat at $14.9 billion Wednesday.

McSweeney, who said, “Illinois is imploding,” released the results to The Associated Press.

The deficit is more than the state spent on all human services in the current budget year, according to numbers in the analysis. It’s more than the checks Springfield wrote for higher education, public safety, and government services combined.

Without action, the commission estimates the June 2018 deficit will be $7.7 billion.

The year-end shortfall at the same time a year ago was $3.8 billion.

Another "shoe" hit the floor today.

A federal judge in Chicago says Illinois isn't in compliance with court orders to promptly pay health-care bills for low-income and other vulnerable groups even as the state heads into a third year without a budget.

Thursday's ruling by Judge Joan Lefkow says officials "have not lived up to their agreements" in the civil case. She adds the comptroller "faces an unenviable situation" in deciding which bills to pay but that its approach doesn't comply with standing courts orders.

Despite that criticism, Lefkow did not order Illinois to pay $2 billion in unpaid Medicaid bills immediately and in full. That could have deepened the financial crisis.

Lefkow's ruling instructs the state and Medicaid recipients to negotiate a sufficient payment of bills to ensure critical medical care isn't jeopardized.

this is what happens when so much of the states population lives in one area when people in that area get personal agendas the rest of the state has to deal with the crap that the people up north have put us into.

leatherneckcountry wrote: Wed Jun 07, 2017 7:26 pm this is what happens when so much of the states population lives in one area when people in that area get personal agendas the rest of the state has to deal with the crap that the people up north have put us into.

You do raise an interesting point. We offer tax incentives and loopholes for all kinds of things including the act of job relocation. How about some federal and state location-based relocation incentives. If you move your family or company to an economically distressed area, you get a nice tax break. Could even come up with a graduated scale, the more distressed the area, the bigger the tax break.

Aspen Court filing for bankruptcy. Property manager claims state budget impasse is a contributing factor.

From today's Western Courier:
http://westerncourier.com/38257/news/as ... ankruptcy/

The Western Board of Trustees met today.

The Board approved the University's Fiscal Year 2018 preliminary spending plan of $227.2 million.

The Board also approved a resolution to utilize Auxiliary Facilities Systems (AFS) funds, if necessary. The Board's vote will allow the University to temporarily utilize AFS funds for any University expenses due to the on-going state budget impasse, which is now in its third year. AFS funds are generated from specific student fees and from room and board charges.

The Board also authorized the University to replace these AFS funds after the necessary state appropriations are received or as soon as financially possible. In April 2016, the Board approved a similar resolution for FY17. However, AFS funds were not used in Fiscal Year 2017.

Of course, the problem would be if the State short-funds or even zero-funds the University for FY18 which starts on July 1.