Fixing Budget Crisis is Top Priority: State Rep. Fine

SPRINGFIELD, IL - State Rep. Laura Fine, a Democrat representing areas of Glenview, Evanston, Skokie, Golf, Morton Grove, Northbrook and Wilmette, issued the following response to Gov. Rauner’s State of the State address this week:

“For almost two years, the state has been without a long-term budget. The uncertainty has forced social service agencies throughout our communities to cut services or close because of the state’s failure to pay its bills. Seniors, children and families that rely on child care assistance, home health care, Autism services, assistance for victims of domestic abuse, and much more have been left without a safety net. Our universities are crumbling due a nearly 60 percent reduction in state funding.

“My number one priority is to get a budget in place that puts the needs of families first. This means investing in our schools, colleges and universities, protecting vital state services and supporting a healthy economic agenda.

“We need a comprehensive and innovative economic plan that does not focus solely on cutting wages and taking away protections for workers. That is why I support proposals to level the playing field to streamline the state’s business tax to immediately reduce the burden placed on small and medium-sized business that grow our economy. I also support reinstating the EDGE tax credit that helps businesses that create new jobs. Further, I believe that we must require any business that takes tax breaks from the state of Illinois to pay back those incentives if they move good-paying jobs out of Illinois.

“Enacting these reforms, as well as putting a budget in place, provides the stability businesses need to make the decision to come to Illinois. Investing in programs that help residents live better lives, will encourage more people to see Illinois as a great place to live and raise a family.”