Has Doomsday arrived?
If you pay attention to local news in Illinois, whether you live in Chicago, in Carbondale, or in Evanston, you’re hearing more each day about our bankrupt state budget and the draconian cuts being imposed as a result. School programs are being eliminated, workers are losing their jobs, and vital social services – from health care to housing to higher education – are being slashed. We are at crisis point. "It is impossible to overstate the level of peril," proclaims the President of the Civic Federation – hardly someone prone to bleeding-heart hyperbole. “Doomsday is here for the State of Illinois.”
You can’t issue a more dire alarm than that – but will they hear it in Springfield? Will the increasing toll in human hardship force our legislators to wake up? Will they finally acknowledge we can’t cut our way out of this crisis and start talking about responsible ways to raise revenue?
Blaring headlines won’t be enough -- they’ll only respond in Springfield if enough of us demand that they do.
So, Democrats, how do you make your voice heard? First, please attend Crisis Point: An Examination of the Illinois State Budget on Sunday, March 21, 3 p.m. at the Hill Center (see info above). You’ll get the facts you need from those who know our budget inside and out.
You can also take a close look at the numbers, read comments from other citizens, and provide your own suggestions for how we should approach this crisis on Governor Quinn’s budget website – click here. This is an innovative effort to elicit public input on our fiscal crisis, and we strongly encourage you to post your opinions there.
And let us know what you’re thinking on our own newly-interactive website. Add your comments below and give us your ideas. How is the budget emergency affecting you, your family and friends, your neighbors? What can the DPOE do to help bring about a solution to our State’s fiscal crisis? What should our elected officials do? How can we engage our fellow citizens on this issue?
We want to hear from you. Your voice and your involvement matters. Doomsday isn’t inevitable, if you speak up and take action.
Here’s more information on the State Budget and links to groups that are pressing for solutions on this crisis. Study up and, most importantly, get involved. Call our office if you have questions.
Voices for Illinois Children State Budget Action Center
The Responsible Budget Coalition
Campaign for Illinois' Future
The Civic Federation's Fiscal Rehabilitation Plan
Fiscal Condition Critical: A Report from the Institute of Government and Public Affairs, University of Illinois
By the Numbers: How Illinois' Fiscal Picture Adds Up
