The state of Illinois is debating once again on whether or not to build casino's in Chicago. In Springfield the powers that be "those half wilted elected officials" seem to think it will solve all the State's money problems.
The argument is the same old debate, money for schools, road construction and public transportation. When the Illinois lottery game first went into action the goal then, was to use those dollars into schools, roads and transporation as well. But, the fat cats up on the hill found other ways to spend those dollars. And now were are broke, the state of Illinois that, is without proper dollars to run our less than efficient state. A week or so ago the Governor went on television asking employees to remain at their jobs as they may not get paid anytime soon. Then just before that midnight bell, hark, they reached a temporary agreement. And all was well.
Folks all is not well. Revenue is dwindling and more confusion about where money from the tolls, parking meters, or other taxes hidden in special line items really is spent.
In addition, by January 1, 2008, all restaurants and bars in the state of Illinois will be banned from allowing their patrons to smoke. That's revenue isn't it? I realize smoking and second hand smoke is not good, but, it will also not be good for the millions of revenue generating businesses
that will be forced to shut down because of this ban. So why even build a casino if people who smoke are banned from having a cigarette. The idea of a casino seems like another way to hide those budget line items, and nothing more. I can also happen to know of a few homeless agencies whose budgets have been recently cut for political reasons, who are in need, facing their own crisis, unable to continue providing services such as jobs, housing, shelter and life skills.
They could also use our voice to reinstate those lost dollars.
Are the boys on the hill who we have elected thinking clearly? The answer is evident by the poor management in our nation's capital.
There is even talk about removing the Governor before his term is up, bad idea. Instead, take a fresh approach.
What if everyone demanded accountability? Budgets explained at various town hall meetings, reports from elected officals on their office spending made public. You would generate a much more effective call to action.
I have a suggestion, why don't we all write to those folks on the hill and ask for accountablility?
Afterall, the power of your voice will speak volumes in the weeks and months ahead. They might even do some real work for a change.
According to today's Chicago Sun Times article---It was unclear late Monday whether the stance represented a break in the record-setting, 67-day budget stalemate that threatens this week to delay paychecks for thousands of government workers and tens of millions of dollars in payments to schools.
All four legislative caucuses are near agreement on funding the state's day-to-day operating needs but haven't agreed on a deal to borrow billions of dollars to repave roads, build schools and fund an array of other projects.
Gov. Blagojevich, Senate Democrats, and Republicans in both chambers have shown support for tying a capital program to a city casino, isolating House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) as the lone potential obstacle to the first major state building program in eight years.
A top Madigan aide expressed skepticism the House could pass such a deal, noting the chamber voted in October 2005 to shut down the state's riverboat casinos, and that big gambling legislation typically collapses of its own weight.
While some of the 67 House Democrats might back a city casino for a state bricks-and-mortar program, "clearly not very many would, not a majority," Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said.
Madigan's reticence to publicly back such a plan has heightened speculation the speaker doesn't want to hand Blagojevich a political win of any sort, nor give the administration unbridled freedom to spend billions of dollars on construction when lawmakers from both parties mistrust him.
Meanwhile, in Chicago, the governor rejected claims that a new state budget needs to be passed this week to avert a government shutdown. He also appeared to back away from health care as his chief priority and showed signs he's willing to compromise to get a budget.
Comptroller Dan Hynes identified Wednesday as a deadline for a deal to prevent delays in state payments to school districts and paychecks to state employees.
Blagojevich called that deadline "artificial." The state's existing spending plan expired July 31.
