Election 2014: Mike Lawrence: The Compelling Challenge Of Rehabbing Illinois
The following is an op-ed written by Mike Lawrence for the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois. Lawrence was a longtime journalist, Press Secretary for Gov. Jim Edgar and later directed the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.
Gov. Pat Quinn and Bruce Rauner are having a brawl — trash-talk and all. So, it’s less likely with every gouge and grunt, that either will focus on rescuing Illinois until after the election — if then.
Just two months after the final low blow, the whopping “temporary” increase enacted by Quinn and Democratic lawmakers in 2011 will slide from 5 percent to 3.75 for individuals and from 7 to 5.25 for corporations without legislative and gubernatorial intervention. State Comptroller Judy Topinka warns of a $2-billion collapse that will further erode funding for education and vital human services as leaders grapple with pensions and other accumulated obligations.
To the bloodied victor in the Quinn-Rauner battle will go the spoils and the toil. In addition to addressing the foreboding budgetary “heart attack” colorfully articulated by Topinka, the winner should dedicate his stewardship to rehabbing the buckling knees of a once-proud giant among states. He and legislative chieftains must summon rare statesmanship, courage and creativity.
Back