The Illinois General Assembly convened for its Fall Veto Session on Tuesday. In addition to the controversial issues on the agenda such as gambling, the death penalty, and civil unions, one big question is whether Gov. Pat Quinn will push his proposed one percent income tax increase. According to Doug Finke, columnist for Springfield’s State-Journal Register, House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) “wants Republicans to put votes on a tax hike, and there’s no indication they are willing to do that, now or in January. But if you’re a lame-duck Republican who believes a tax increase is needed, you could vote for one in January and make a quick exit.”
Where We Stand
The Illinois Comptroller estimates the state could have a working budget deficit of $15 billion for 2012, which accounts for a combination of unpaid bills, pension commitments, and loss of federal stimulus and other one-time revenues. Gov. Quinn’s one percent tax increase would generate about $3 billion (that he has marked for education). Factor in some spending cuts, say 10 percent of the budget, as Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady proposed, and we’d generate about $2.5 billion in savings – with big, unavoidable cuts to education, health care, and public safety. That still leaves us nearly $10 billion short, and doesn’t even cover the $6.5 billion in back payments owed to state vendors, who are primarily small businesses providing human services.
Obviously, Illinois cannot continue on this course. There is no quick or easy fix, and piecemeal actions are not the answer. State leaders need to take a comprehensive view that considers revenue raisers, spending cuts, goal-oriented investments, and user fees. In other words, we all need to take a chance and make potentially unpopular choices for the good of the people and future of the state.
Read MPC President MarySue Barrett’s op-ed, “Inspiring leadership, inspired investments essential to strengthening Illinois’ economy” >>
Project Progress Report: Gary and Region Investment Project (GRIP)
Gary and Northwest Indiana ‘roll up their sleeves’ to reinvest in urban core
The Gary and Region Investment Project (GRIP) – a regional initiative to reinvest in Northwest Indiana’s urban core, led by MPC and The Times Media Company – launched Oct. 27, 2010, with the “GRIP the Future” event, at the Genesis Center, in Gary, Ind. The event was both a resounding call to action and the first step in identifying a few key investments the region can work together on to stabilize and transform its economy.
Nearly 200 people with a stake in reviving Northwest Indiana’s formerly industrialized communities took part in the day-long forum, including community leaders, business leaders, and elected and appointed officials, including U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Ron Sims and Special Assistant to the President for Urban Affairs Derek Douglas (who phoned in from D.C.).
Among the day’s most inspiring speakers was U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky (D-Ind.), who fired up the crowd by reciting a litany of Northwest Indiana’s strengths – including its proximity to Lake Michigan, interstate and state highways, passenger and freight rail lines, and Chicago. “I have hundreds of colleagues who would die to have these assets,” said Visclosky. “I hope we put to bed, and never talk about again, feeling sorry for ourselves because we live in Northwest Indiana.”
Suitably inspired, the participants got right to work. They helped shape the direction of GRIP by using keypad polling to vote on key investments they think will have the greatest ripple effect on the region.
Take the GRIP survey – and share it with others. >>
Read a more detailed account of GRIP the Future, including next steps for GRIP, event highlights, speaker presentations, and what investments and criteria ranked highly among participants. >>
Donate today to help MPC improve the economy in Northwest Indiana and the region. >>
Headlines
Livable communities are healthy communities
Illinois awarded $265 million in competitive federal funding in October
Xav Briggs, Associate Director of OMB, spends the day with MPC
President’s economic advisors find long-term transportation investment plan boosts the economy
MPC's pumpkin-carving skills tested at Marquette Building harvest party
Upcoming events
| Dec 16 | MPC and Openlands Roundtable Right as Rain: Advancing Safe, Sustainable Water Reuse 12:00 PM–1:30 PM |
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MPC in the News
Up the River?
The Times, Ottawa, Ill., 11/6/2010
OpEd: Chicago’s fiscal belt-tightening shouldn’t spell end for critical transit projects
Crain’s Chicago Business, 10/30/2010
Getting a GRIP on Northwest Indiana’s future
The Times of Northwest Indiana, 10/28/2010
Visclosky challenges region to take action, rebuild Gary
Post-Tribune, 10/27/2010
News of Interest
Illinois gambling revenue lowest in 10 years
Daily Herald, 11/15/2010
‘Water’ you talking about? Why EPA’s new policy saves money and H2o
Smart Growth Around America blog, 11/15/2010
CTA on right track selling naming rights to trains and buses
Crain’s Chicago Business, 11/15/2010
Our stagnant gas tax rate is making the deficit worse
Streetsblog, 11/12/2010
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