Jun 23, 2009 6:20 pm US/Central
Thousands Protest Budget Cuts In Springfield
State Lawmakers Must Plug Hole Of More Than $9 Billion
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) ―
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Thousands crowded into the rotunda of the capitol building in Springfield June 23, 2009 to protest budget cuts that could eliminate a variety of social services and state jobs.
CBS
Illinois lawmakers are back in Springfield Tuesday night, confronted by a
$9 billion hole in the state budget and no easy options to fill it.
CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports thousands of people turned out to demonstrate against possible budget cuts and to show support for an income tax increase, instead.
Some organizers affected could see their funding cut in half, while others could see their state money eliminated altogether.
A Breakdown Of The Proposed State Budget Cuts
But lawmakers are hesitant to go along with Gov. Pat Quinn's plan to save those programs by raising the income tax. House Speaker Michael Madigan's House Democrats have blocked the tax hike, which was approved by the state Senate.
On Monday, a protest against the cuts was held at Madigan's district office. It was organized by the AFSCME union local representing some 700 adult education instructors at the City Colleges, who are dependent on state funding.
Also Monday, Quinn spoke to a group of several hundred who oppose the budget cuts, at a Humboldt Park rally. Several of supporters became so excited, they began jumping in time to their chants. He suddenly joined them.
"I believe in jumping for the common good. Some of these proposed budget cutbacks would result in 100,000 people losing their jobs," Quinn said Monday.
At this point, there is no sign of an agreement in Springfield that would avert these unprecedented state budget cuts. The governor's estimate of 100,000 layoffs indicates how broad the service cuts would be.
CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery will have a ringside seat for the budget battle in Springfield. Look for his reports starting this afternoon on the CBS 2 News at 5PM.
Top legislative leaders will be meeting with the governor in his office later Tuesday evening, their sense of urgency heightened by the huge crowds that jammed the capitol rotunda earlier in the day.
It was a huge outpouring of thousands who depend on state-funded programs, putting new pressure on politicians in Springfield, especially in this area where so many are employed by state government.
State Sen. Larry Bomke is one of the first Republicans who said he is willing to vote for Gov. Quinn's latest proposal – a temporary increase in the Illinois income tax.
"I think it's a great idea," Bomke said. "It helps us get by in this very difficult time."
"Republicans can't act like Republicans. Democrats can't act like Democrats. We've got to work together," Senate President John Cullerton said.
The tax increase plan is still far short of the votes it needs to pass in the General Assembly, so the threat of a budgetary doomsday remains. The governor says a lack of action could force 100,000 layoffs in social service agencies and state government.
"I have called for temporarily raising the income tax from 3 to 4.5 percent so we can have a decent budget, we can help people who have been laid off in this recession," Quinn said. "We believe you don't cut important programs."
Another top Illinois Democrat, though, accused the governor of presenting the people with a false choice. Controller Dan Hynes said there do indeed have to be budget cuts in the next fiscal year, but not nearly as drastic as those the governor is proposing.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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