Pension Reform Remains a Top Priority
As lawmakers head back to Springfield this week, Illinois’ pension crisis continues to loom heavy over nearly every aspect of Illinois government. Illinois’ debt obligation now exceeds $200 billion, leaving Illinois taxpayers $18 million in additional costs for each day the pension crisis remains unaddressed.
Businesses are reluctant to invest in Illinois, and vital programs are facing hundreds of millions of dollars of cuts next year. Now, because of Governor Quinn, Speaker Madigan and President Cullerton’s inaction on pension reform, S&P downgraded Illinois’ bond rating again – coming just weeks after Fitch’s announcement it was placing Illinois’ General Obligation Bonds on Rating Negative Watch.
We are no doubt at a major breaking point, but our state’s leaders must come together and join those of us who desire meaningful fiscal reform in Illinois, an increasing amount of our hard earned tax dollars will go towards the programs our state should be making a priority, the education of our children, the infrastructure that we depend on, and the vital services our state’s most vulnerable rely upon.
Illinois Toll Highway Projects Moving Forward
The Jane Addams Memorial Tollway project, slated for opening in 2016 at a cost of $2.2 billion, is expected to begin this spring. When the project is completed, at least six lanes of limited-access highway will connect Interstate 39, near Rockford, with exurban Randall Road. The Addams work will also include construction of a new interchange with Illinois Route 47 at Huntley.
Tickets to State of the State and Budget Address
If you will be in Springfield on the following dates and would like tickets to the Governor’s State of the State or Budget Address, please contact my office at (815) 547-3436 and we will be happy to get you tickets to these events.
- Governor’s State of the State Address: Wednesday, February 6, 2013
- Governor’s Annual Budge Address: Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Pictured: The 118 members of the new 98th General Assembly take the oath of office on January 9, 2013 at the University of Illinois – Springfield Auditorium. Visit Rep. Sosnowski’s Facebook page.
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