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State budget
Quick Hit
by Angela Caputo
11:15am
Wed Jan 27, 2010

AIDS Drug Assistance Program Under Seige

Currently, 4,600 Illinoisans rely on the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), with over 100 additional people -- many of them unemployed -- applying each month.  To meet an anticipated 15 percent surge in enrollees this year, the state is now being forced to cut back on another important service: HIV prevention.  Last week, State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) convened a public hearing in Chicago to brainstorm "a balanced and sustainable solution to this public health emergency.”  David Ormsby has more on the latest casualty of the state budget crisis.

Quick Hit
by Josh Kalven
1:12pm
Tue Jan 26, 2010

What Is Hynes' "Plan B"?

During last night's WTTW debate, Democratic gubernatorial challenger Dan Hynes said that, when Gov. Pat Quinn's plan to raise the state income tax "failed" during the spring legislative session, he "had no plan B."  It's a fair point.  But I would have liked to hear Quinn or moderator Carol Marin ask Hynes what his own "plan B" would look like if he wins the primary and his proposal to pass a progressive income tax subsequently fails.  Remember, in order to implement this budget fix, Hynes' constitutional amendment has to be approved by a three-fifths vote in both legislative chambers (before the May 3 deadline) and then again by a majority of voters on Election Day in November. Read more »

Quick Hit
by Angela Caputo
1:24pm
Sat Jan 23, 2010

Here Comes The "Cliff"

Five months ago, Illinois State Board of Education Chair Jesse Ruiz warned that chronic revenue shortfalls were pushing the public school system towards a "cliff." Now he's peering over the edge. As anticipated, Illinois will need to find $1 billion to maintain current levels of state funding next year and Supt. Chris Koch warned this month that rolling back (PDF) state aid appears to be a real possibility. In response, districts are beginning to consider school closuresincreased class sizes, and cuts to teachers and extracurricular activities.  Meanwhile, the statehouse remains quiet as the Democratic leadership waits for the primary to pass. Welcome to Illinois ...

PI Original
by Adam Doster
3:10pm
Wed Jan 20, 2010

Why Cutting Medicaid Is Not A Solution

With the debts mounting and no end to the recession in sight, everyone with a hand in state government is looking for ways to balance Illinois' budget. For some political figures -- including several Republican gubernatorial candidates -- the state's Medicaid program is a ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
11:02am
Wed Jan 20, 2010

Would Hynes' Plan Really "Get Us Out Of This Mess"?

As Dan Hynes' Democratic gubernatorial campaign has gained traction in the past week, his proposal to institute a progressive income tax system has once again received attention in the media as a potential solution to the ongoing budget crisis.  For instance, a recent ...