Today's Deal Promo Box - A&M sign

Login or Signup

Facebook user?
You can use your Facebook account to log in.
Join The Community
Login | Register | Subscribe
 
HomeNewsNews

Downstate legislator feels pinch because of rift between Chicago politicians

Lawmakers wary over budget cuts

Lawmakers wary over budget cuts
Font Size:
Default font size
Larger font size

SPRINGFIELD | Gov. Rod Blagojevich sent a stinging message to Democrats in the Illinois House on Thursday by vetoing their projects in the 2008 budget, while leaving Republican requests for cash untouched.

The move, an apparent outgrowth of the feuding between Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan, had rank-and-file lawmakers incensed.

"It makes me furious because it's bad policy no matter how you look at it," said state Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion.

Instead of seeing cities and social service agencies in his Southern Illinois district divvy up more than $600,000 in state funding, residents will be penalized because of a rift between two Chicago politicians, Bradley said.

Blagojevich and Madigan went tit-for-tat much of the spring.

On Chicago's south side, Democratic lawmakers saw their requests for funding also get cut.

Police and fire officials in Monee and Peotone, for example, were in line to receive grants for new laptop computers. They also had wanted $100,000 to repair the roof and parking lot at the Will County Senior Services center. All were cut by the governor.

Even though the veto details were released Thursday, state Rep. David Miller, D-Calumet City, said Friday he hadn't yet reviewed which of his projects survived or were cut.

But he said the controversial budget cuts this week resembled the months-long state budget impasse that was marked by name-calling and political deals among Blagojevich and top lawmakers.

"I think this whole process has been very divisive," Miller said, who had $70,000 for lighting at the Calumet City Public Library cut.

-- Contact the Lee Springfield Bureau at (217) 789-0865.

Copyright 2012 nwitimes.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Print Email

Sponsored Links

Current Conditions
33° F
Sponsored by:
Promo Banner - iPad App

Latest Local Offers

Walter E Smithe Furniture Inc
You dream it - We build it!
Walter E Smithe Furniture Inc
Valvoline Express Care of Munster
$10 off
Valvoline Express Care of Munster
Don's Snow Removal & Landscaping
Custom Computerized Landscape Design
Don's Snow Removal & Landscaping
Christenson Chevrolet Inc
Now all Chevy, Buick, & GMC Certified vehicles come with *2 years / 30,000 miles of Free Maintenance and a 172 point inspection.
Christenson Chevrolet Inc
Levin Tire Center
$24.95 Oil Change w/4 Tire Rotation Special...
Levin Tire Center

Featured Businesses

Hint: Enter a keyword that you are looking for like tires, pizza or doctors or browse the full business directory, powered by Local.com

Poll

Do you support the preferred route chosen for the Illiana Expressway?

Loading…
Yes
No