Pritzker delivers annual budget address

Posted on February 19, 2020
Gov. JB Pritzker delivered the annual budget address Wednesday afternoon. (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – The theme of Gov. Pritzker’s budget message Wednesday afternoon was “optimism,” but he was not above introducing a little hard-sell of his graduated income tax.

If Illinois voters amend the Constitution to change the income tax, the switch takes effect halfway through the fiscal year.

“To address the uncertainty in our revenues, this budget responsibly holds $1.4 billion in reserve,” Pritzker said, “until we know the outcome in November. Because this reserve is so large. it inevitably cuts into some of the things we hold most dear.”

Remember evidence-based K-12 education, pumping an extra 350 (m) million dollars into the system? Pritzker’s plan accounts for only 200 (m) million unless that income tax change passes.

The proposal, including the estimated $1.4 billion growth from the first six months of a graduated income tax, is to spend $42 billion.

The fiscal year begins July 1.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…