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Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Update
The good news is that we have a state budget for the
current fiscal year that started on July 1, 2008. The bad news is that neither the
process nor the result was very pretty.
What follows is my take on the process. You might get a different take from others.
Back in May, the Senate passed a balanced budget over
to the House. Their proposal
included revenue enhancements and relied on a capital infrastructure program
to relieve pressure on spending from our General Revenue Fund.
The House endorsed all the spending that the Senate
authorized but failed to approve the capital plan and some of the additional
revenue proposed by the Senate.
So when the budget went to the Governor, I believe it was out of
balance. Depending on who you
believe, it was somewhere between $1.5 and $2.5 billion out of whack.
The Governor used his veto authority to cut back on
the spending authorized by the General Assembly. The biggest and most painful cuts were
to social services (for the developmentally disabled, seniors, those with
substance abuse problems, etc).
But, as you’ve read in the news, there are also deep cuts in
other areas such as the Department of Natural Resources which runs our state
parks.
The bottom line is that there is a budget for the
State of Illinois but it has a pretty dramatic impact on a variety of
programs for some of our most vulnerable citizens.
While our constitution requires a balanced budget,
passing one is as much art as science.
Forecasting revenues is inexact and therefore, the Governor must
always use the authority of the executive branch to balance revenues with
expenditures as the fiscal year unfolds.
It is just that this year, the General Assembly (and the House in
particular) handed him a larger than usual task.
If you or someone you know is impacted by the cuts, I
would very much appreciate hearing your story. It will help me talk about this issue
with the Governor and House leadership.
ComEd Programs Designed to Help Constituents
I recently was notified of a few programs offered by
ComEd to help those in need. If
you would like more specific information or have any questions, please
contact my office.
The assistance programs they
are offering include the following:
1)
Residential Special Hardship fund – provides
one-time grants of up to $1000 for residential customers with household
incomes up to 400% of poverty level ($82,000 for a family of four) who
identify a hardship issue. To apply contact your local Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP) administering agency.
2)
CHAMP (ComEd Helps Activated Military Personnel)
– Assists members of the Military, National Guard and Reserve on active
duty with managing their electric bills. Contact ComEd CARE at 888-806-2273.
3)
Power Up Fund – Provides grants of up to $400
for residential customers with household incomes up to 200% of poverty level
who are not approved for LIHEAP. Helps families in need to prevent imminent
disconnection or assist with the reconnection of electrical service. To apply
contact your local LIHEAP administering agency.
4)
Summer Assistance Program – Provides bill
credits of $30 for summer months, the equivalent of running a medium-size
window air-conditioner for 600 hours or approximately 6 to 7 hours per day
for the 3 summer months. All customers with household incomes of up to 200%
of poverty level ($41,300 for a family of four) qualify. ComEd will
automatically apply this credit to 2007 summer assistance recipients.
All other customers should apply at their local LIHEAP administering agency.
5)
All Electric Weatherization Assistance –
Performs energy-saving improvements for space heating, LIHEAP approved
residential customers. Customers should apply at their local LIHEAP administering
agency.
6)
Small Business and Nonprofit Energy Assistance
Programs – Provides a one-time variable grant up to $2500 for
non-residential customers who use less than 400kW and demonstrate a special
circumstance or hardship. Program
runs May 1 to October 1. For additional information call 773-269-4037.
Safe Rides Bill (Senate Bill 1930) Signed by Governor
I am proud to let you know that Senate Bill 1930 was
signed by the Governor last week.
In May, Senator Jeff Schoenberg and I were able to pass the “Safe
Rides” bill in the House and the Senate.
This bill creates an exception to the recently enacted
teen driving curfew for the successful “Safe-Rides” program. “Safe Rides” is for
teenagers seeking alternative transportation home after curfew on weekend
nights. The “Safe
Rides” Program began in 1981 when a group of concerned teenagers
decided to do something to prevent the tragic loss of life brought on by
teenagers drinking and driving. Nearly 200 student volunteers make up the
crew, which has been operation for over 15 years and plays an integral part
in the “Safe Rides” program in Northern Illinois.
Nekritz Nine at Nite
Reminder
Just to remind everyone, my annual golf outing has
been set for August 15 at 7:00p.m.
This year, all benefits will be donated to the Des Plaines Community
Foundation to install KNOX-BOXES in the homes of seniors in Des Plaines. These allow firefighters to gain quick
access to a home or apartment without forced entry. If you have not yet received an
invitation or sponsorship information and are interested in attending or
donating please contact my district office.
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