Springfield, Ill. - Governor Pat Quinn vetoed a major budget measure, Senate Bill 1197, on July 1, claiming that he had no choice but to reject the proposal, which he said “does not effectively address Illinois’ growing budgetary and economic calamity.”

State Senator Dan Duffy (R- Lake Barrington) said that the Governor’s veto was not unexpected – he addressed a joint session of the General Assembly on June 30, and pledged to veto the budget, saying he would keep lawmakers in Springfield until a budget more to his liking is passed.

Fiscal Year 2010 began on July 1, meaning Illinois is now operating without a signed budget – the Governor did not act on other portions of the budget and would not say whether or not he intended to approve the remainder of the budget.  

It was not immediately clear what impact the veto might have on human service providers and their clients, as the Governor has sent mixed signals – alternately declaring that he would shut off funding to providers and slash services, and then backing off his own threats. The Governor’s flip-flops have left thousands of human service providers in the dark, with some saying they have no choice but to assume the worst and lay-off employees, reduce services or even close.

Shortly before the Governor’s announcement, Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) and Speaker of the House Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) announced they would call lawmakers back to Springfield to act on the Governor’s veto – but not until July 14.

Senate Republicans continue to try and work with the state’s Democrat majority. On June 30, they again offered an alternative budget plan that would temporarily finance the state at the Fiscal Year 2008 level. Senator Duffysaid that the Caucus identified 13 bills that could have been used to finance a temporary budget.

The proposal advanced by the Senate GOP would have prevented the deep cuts to human services that many of Illinois’ most vulnerable citizens rely on, and forestall the thousands of lay-offs that many say will result due to Quinn’s action. Senate Republicans have argued that rolling state spending back to a previous fiscal year is more equitable than the budget passed by Democrats at the end of May. That budget targeted human service programs by cutting spending by 50 percent in those areas, while increasing spending in other areas.

Also this week, Governor Quinn signed the following measures into law:

9-1-1 (SB 74/PA 96-0025): Requires 9-1-1 system providers to obtain official certification from the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Design-Build (HB 372/PA 96-0021): Changes the sunset date of the Design-Build Procurement Act from July 1, 2009 to July 1, 2014. 

Endowment Funds (HB 811/PA 96-0029): Replaces an out-dated Act related to the investment and expenditure of charitable funds, providing better guidance on endowment fund spending and helping institutions to more ably deal with the fluctuations in endowment value.

FamilyCare Program (SB 367/PA 96-0020): Allows for continued eligibility up to 400 percent of the poverty line for those already enrolled in the FamilyCare program, and caps future eligibility at 185 percent for those not grandfathered into coverage.

Freestanding Emergency Center (HB 1327/PA 96-0023): Provides for issuance of an annual FEC license to any facility that has received a permit from the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board to establish a Freestanding Emergency Center.

Green Infrastructures (SB 1489/PA 96-0026): Establishes an IEPA study on storm water management.

Health Facilities (SB 1905/PA 96-0031): Rewrites the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board and the state’s Certificate of Need process, implementing reforms suggested to improve the distribution and quality of Illinois’ healthcare delivery systems.

Refugees (HB 399)/PA 96-0022: Establishes ongoing Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled coverage for refugees to ensure they will not lose their assistance.

Tax Refund (SB 1623/PA 96-0027): Allows Owens-Illinois, a Streator glass plant, to request a refund for taxes it erroneously paid to the State.

Telecommunications (HB 2527/PA 96-0024):  Extends the current telecommunications law until July 2010.

Unemployment Insurance (SB 1350/PA 96-0030): Makes changes to unemployment insurance law to help Illinois get federal stimulus money.

Wind Farms (SB 1923/PA 96-0028):  Allows businesses that intend to establish new wind power facilities to qualify for certain tax breaks.

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