Rauner prepares closures, spending cuts

Posted on June 2, 2015
Governor Bruce Rauner
Gov. Bruce Rauner (left) has a list of cuts prepared if a budget is not passed. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Adam Studzinski

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration said it is reviewing Illinois’ juvenile detention centers for closure, preparing to close state museums and will ground state aircraft if there’s no budget agreement.

In a news release Tuesday, Rauner said the state must prepare for the possibility there won’t be a budget deal on spending by July 1.

Legislative Democrats approved a spending plan but acknowledge it’s at least $3 billion short of revenue.

The Rauner administration says the Department of Juvenile Justice has 500 extra beds and officials will prepare to close as many as two facilities. A minimum-security prison work camp would be shuttered and state aircraft kept from flying except in emergencies.

Rauner is also looking to decrease assistance to the state’s aging population by increasing the Determination of Need (DON) Score required to obtain services through the Department of Aging.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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