MPC President MarySue Barrett stands with other civic and advocacy group leaders, calling on Illinois lawmakers to pass a budget.
The State of Illinois is in shameful financial shape, and for nearly two years our state's budget impasse has been crushing our most vulnerable citizens including school children, the elderly, those living with mental illness and anyone who relies on the state for services. Operating Illinois on autopilot is not a solution, nor is it sustainable, and simply put, it represents an abdication of governance by all of our elected officials in Springfield.
That's why MPC's President MarySue Barrett along with a group of civic and advocacy groups called on the Illinois General Assembly and Governor Rauner to pass a comprehensive, balanced budget that fully funds the state's obligations.
"Our message to lawmakers in Springfield is clear," MarySue said to a roomful of reporters. "Stay in Springfield and do your job."
With the state nearing two full years without a full budget, the coalition's warning to Illinois lawmakers was direct: Don't come home without a fully-funded, balanced budget.
WTTW Chicago Tonight—Civic Groups to Lawmakers: Don’t Come Back Without Budget
WBBM Radio (audio) and CBS 2 (video)—Groups Slam State Lawmakers For ‘Nonsense Of Not Having A Budget’
ABC 7—State budget impasse continues as legislative session nears end
The coalition included the Civic Federation, Better Government Association, Forefront, Voices For Illinois Children, the Union League Club of Chicago and the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law. For more information on the coalition's message, click here.