Raoul, Harper and Welch Speak Out on Gov. Rauner’s State of the State Address
Raoul: Governor’s “actions matter far more than his words”
State Reps. Harper and Welch Call on Governor to Focus on Budget
SPRINGFIELD, IL — Illinois State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago 13th) issued the following statement after hearing Governor Bruce Rauner’s update on the state of Illinois earlier today:
It was good to hear the governor say that “we must cast partisanship and ideology aside.” I’m happy those words came from his lips, and I’m hoping someday they’ll make it to his ears, because during his first year in office, he’s allowed his ideology to hijack the budget and do costly, long-term damage to state services for those in greatest need.
His refusal to compromise also has kept us from achieving many of the worthy goals he mentioned today, including full and fair funding for education. Meanwhile, he’s gone on the warpath against Illinois’ public institutions of higher learning, a system our employers depend on for a skilled workforce, our young adults rely on to secure decent jobs and our communities count on for continued economic growth. In particular, the governor’s attack on Chicago State University is founded on a twisting of statistics, comparing this unique institution, which serves as a safety net for students whose backgrounds and biographies are nontraditional, to those with very different profiles.
I appreciate and applaud the governor’s recognition of the work of the Illinois State Commission on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform and its chairman, Rodger Heaton. This group’s recommendations should be given serious consideration during this legislative session. But as I sat in meetings with other members of the Commission, one clear truth emerged: success requires investment. Without a serious, deliberate investment of resources into community-based programs that deter youth from criminal involvement and prevent recidivism among ex-offenders, our best efforts will fall far short of the goal.
In the past year, the governor’s ideological intransigence has hijacked the kind of purposeful, sustained, data-driven investment Illinois needs – in education, criminal justice reform, economic development and social services. Now, after more than half a year without a budget, his actions matter far more than his words.
Statement by State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago:
“With the budget impasse hurting so many citizens of Illinois, especially in my community, I wish Governor Rauner would have focused his address more on coming to an agreement on a badly needed responsible state budget. I am calling on the governor to make creating a responsible budget plan his top priority.
We are at a pivotal time in our state, but with an approach that focuses so much on non-budgetary items, the governor is sending the wrong message. Families, children, students and elderly residents in my district who depend heavily on state funded programs continue to suffer everyday while politics seems to come before people to some legislators. We have a responsibility to the most vulnerable residents of the state to get our fiscal affairs in order and that should be priority number one.
To be successful moving forward, we have to work together better to serve the people we represent. I am ready and willing to work with the governor and my colleagues to pass a responsible budget right now. I want to help make the best Illinois possible and refuse to settle for anything less.”
Harper represents the 6th District, which includes West Englewood, Englewood, Back of the Yards, Bridgeport, Canaryville and neighboring communities. For more information, please contact Rep. Harper’s district office at 773-925-6580 or repsonyaharper@gmail.com.
Statement by State Rep. Welch:
“When I talk to my constituents, they share with me how the budget impasse is affecting their lives. Day cares have closed, women haven’t been able receive cancer screenings and seniors are losing meals, rides to the doctor and health care services. This isn’t an abstract problem to people living in my district; they are suffering from the inaction from the governor to put in place a budget.
“I don’t disagree that reforms have to be made to make Illinois stronger and grow our economy, but this will not be done by decimating social services that our communities rely on and destroying the rights of workers. If the governor is serious about getting reforms he will work with legislators to create a budget.
“When a budget is in place, I look forward to working with the governor and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass legislation that encourages businesses to come to our communities, create jobs and invest in Illinois. However, these reforms must be a negotiated between all interested parties and balance the rights of workers, needs of businesses and future of Illinois. As we try to move Illinois forward, we cannot leave working families behind.”
For more information, please contact Rep. Welch’s constituent service office at 708-450-1000 or repwelch@emanuelchriswelch.com.
