Letter: State of Illinois Budget Impasse
Via Chicago Tribune:
We are calling for a meeting between the governor and the four Illinois legislative leaders to discuss solutions for the current prolonged budget impasse threatening our state.
This inaction is unprecedented and unacceptable to Illinois voters.
The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform along with Illinois Public Interest Research Group and our other nonpartisan reform organizations want to help.
We are ready to facilitate the logistics of a meeting in either Chicago or Springfield but believe that it must occur prior to Nov. 15 due to the urgent need for resolution on this issue.
After more than 100 days of this stalemate, the consequences have become clear. Illinois residents in serious need are unable to receive important government services, and many non-profit organizations are unable to continue critically important work tied to state grants. Illinois’ state universities and community colleges may not be able to operate in the next semester of this academic year, leaving many students unable to graduate on time.
The consequences are too great.
We cannot let this situation continue.
While leadership may not align on some core principles, we believe it is necessary for them to meet together, work through these issues and agree on a budget.
Now is the time to act, before the consequences become even more dire.
We extend this offer with sincere concern for the citizens and the state of Illinois.
— Susan Garrett, board chair, Illinois Campaign for Political Reform
— Mary Kubasak, president, League of Women Voters of Illinois
— Hoy McConnell, executive director, Business and Professional People for the Public Interest
— Maryam Judar, executive director, Citizen Advocacy Center
— George Ranney, chair, CHANGE Illinois
— Andy Shaw, president and CEO, Better Government Association
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