Actions speak louder than words. Illinois urgently needs a full and responsible budget. While Governor Rauner continues to insist his off-budget demands must be met before he will work on a balanced budget, I joined my colleagues in the House urging the governor to meet with House Democratic leaders willing to negotiate and find common ground on his off-budgetary agenda. It’s time to move Illinois forward, and we stand ready to make the compromises necessary to do just that.
Sadly, Governor Rauner and his administration is ignoring our repeated requests to meet. Under Governor Rauner, the backlog of unpaid bills has grown to $14.4 billion, our state’s credit rating is nearing junk status and social service agencies are closing their doors in the faces of our most vulnerable residents. And what is the governor doing? Spending millions of dollars on TV commercials for his reelection campaign and spending time anywhere but Springfield. It’s time to do your job, Governor Rauner.
With the clock ticking, it is simply irresponsible for him to not come to the table, negotiate and try to resolve this destructive impasse. Because he refuses to even discuss an end to this budget crisis, our communities face more unnecessary pain as social service agencies close, schools shutter and seniors lose access to critical care.
I stand with my colleagues prepared to put people ahead of politics and do whatever is necessary to end this crisis. It’s time for the governor to do the same.
— State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (7th)
