(Adam Studzinski/WJBC)
By Jim Anderson/Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – More money for schools, less for pensions, Medicaid, local governments and transportation – that’s how the governor’s budget proposal lays out.
The boost to public schools is $300 million. “It’s time to make education our top priority again, and that’s what this budget does,” Gov. Bruce Rauner said as he presented his budget proposal to lawmakers today (Wednesday) in a speech at the Capitol, trying to cover a deficit estimated at $6 billion.
The proposal cuts 30 percent from higher education, and $2.2 billion from pensions by placing all state workers and teachers into the plan that now applies to those hired starting in 2011 – a change which would have to be (1) approved by legislators, (2) agreed to by unions and (3) OKed by the courts.
Chicago-area transit would be cut by $128 million, and Downstate transit support would be rolled back to 2014 levels. Amtrak operating subsidies for Illinois routes would be turned back to 2013 levels – probably not enough of a reduction to require service cuts, but probably enough to cause fare increases.
Medicaid payments to health care providers would be reduced, as would state payments to local governments.
The governor did not discuss any specific tax increases, though he did leave open the possibility of negotiating that with lawmakers, provided there are reforms to assure “taxpayers are gettin’ value for their money,” he said.
Money spent on roads would increase by $120 million.
