Illinois Issues Forum- State Budget Past Due

Wednesday, May 17 ^th, AARP Illinois along with Illinois Public Media and NPR Illinois hosted an Illinois Issues Forum entitled State Budget: Past Due on the state budget impasse in Champaign, Illinois.  The 2 ^nd of an 11 part series allows Illinois residents who have been directly impacted to discuss the burden the lack of a balanced budget has placed on their community.

The forum held at the iHotel and Conference Center included AARP State President Rosanna Marquez; former Illinois governor Jim Edgar; University of Illinois president; and Tim Killen, Director of the U of I Institute of Government & Public Affairs Chris Mooney.

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" The budget is crucial to the economics in the state. We have seen damage done in the last two years that has cost jobs and I think has cost much of our economic future. Those thousands of young people who are leaving Illinois to go to higher education in another state probably aren't coming back," he said. "That damage alone from an economic point of view is reason enough why we need to stop all this fighting and rhetoric once we get a budget." Said Governor Edgar

The panel took questions from audience members for about 90 minutes. Among the audience members were four Republican state representatives: Reggie Phillips of Charleston, Jeanne Ives of Wheaton, Margo McDermed of Mokena and Tom Morrison of Palatine.

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AARP Illinois is urging everyone to Take Action. Call your state legislators, and urge them to come up with a plan that fixes the state budget and restores Illinois’ fiscal health once and for all!   Sign our petition http://bit.ly/2nT3DLm or call our toll free hotline at 844-226-1190 and make your voice heard.

Illinoisans of all ages are suffering across the state due to the depleted state services, and communities are hurting due to increase unemployment as many social service providers have been forced to lay workers off, reduce hours, or shut down altogether. Elected officials need to stop putting politics above the needs of their constituents. Illinoisans have elected legislators to properly manage the state’s finances, and it’s their job to create a comprehensive, balanced budget that aims to make life better for all.

Illinoisans must demand action for a comprehensive solution to this mess. We all have a common interest to force elected officials to find a solution and make a path for Illinois’ solvency.  This is VITAL to the future of our state.  It is vital for a secure retirement.  It is vital for our children and grandchildren’s education.  It is vital for the success of our businesses.  It is vital for Illinoisans of all ages to love and take pride in their state.

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Illinois has Had enough of gridlock and inaction? Millions of working families, children, and seniors are suffering across Illinois. Elected officials have to stop their bickering and fix our budget, once and for all.

TAKE ACTION NOW: Sign our petition http://bit.ly/2nT3DLm or call our toll free hotline at 844-226-1190 and make your voice heard.

The next State Budget: Past Due forum will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at Jack Turner Conference at College of DuPage beginning at 7am. Link to register online or for more information:  https://aarp.cvent.com/pastdueglenellyn