Mereja

Author: Cullerton Staff

  • Sen. President John Cullerton’s Chicago Tribune Op-Ed: Response to 3/20 Editorial

    On March 20, 2010, the

    Chicago     Tribune crafted and published an editorial opinion that, in part, accuses Illinois Senate President John Cullerton for a strategy of “delay and deny” when it comes to the most pressing issues facing our state.  This editorial is one of a constant series from the Tribune that neglects to reasonably consider or credit the efforts of lawmakers who seek to find common ground to achieve economic and budget solutions.

    Accusations that Democratic legislators are doing nothing to address the serious challenges facing

    Illinois     are matters of opinion.  The Tribune has refused to publish the full response.  In addition, the Tribune indicated that it will not publish a response that says the March 20th editorial was “riddled with inaccuracies.” 

    Cullerton’s full response has been posted here.  

  • Senate Democrats’ Comprehensive Jobs, Small Business & Economic Investment Package Advances Swiftly

    Late last year Illinois Senate President John Cullerton assigned Senate Democratic caucus members and staff to a challenging, but urgent task: “Find ways to renew and establish Illinois ’ support for job growth and economic development to improve our competitive advantage and stabilize our economy.”
     
    Without seeking the kind of hype and public relations promotion that is common in Illinois government, an Economic Development Working Group began engaging key stakeholders and economic experts throughout the state.  After weeks of discussions with regional job creation experts from throughout the state and intense reviews of Illinois business incentives, the group presented an aggressive approach to the goals set forth by Senate Democratic leadership.
     
    The economic priorities of Senate Democrats maintained that a legislative package must:
     
    –          Invest in the people and businesses of Illinois ;
    –          Build upon economic strengths unique to Illinois ; and
    –          Protect the pocketbooks of taxpayers to ensure trust in Illinois .
     
    Earlier in March, Senate Democrats unveiled their small business development and job creation package.  Last week, the vast majority of that series measures passed the Illinois Senate and await consideration in the House.
     
    The effort builds upon the successful passage of last year’s $31 billion capital construction plan – the state’s first infrastructure improvement plan in over a decade.
    With unemployment nearing 12% throughout Illinois , Senate Democrats remain the only legislative caucus with a successful, comprehensive package that establishes a reasoned approach to business investment incentives.

    [span class=download]{rokbox text=|Download the Illinois Senate Democrats Agenda to Grow Jobs and Strengthen Illinois’ Economy|}phocadownload/PDF/Attachments/edwgupdatev2.pdf{/rokbox}[/span]

  • Senate Democrats Report: Illinois Owes Schools Nearly $730 Million

    $728,591,449.56.  That is the amount of money that

    Illinois     schools are waiting to receive from the State as of March 11, 2010.

    This week the office of the Senate President released a detailed report that shows line-by-line each and every voucher that awaits payment from the State.  Some requests go as far back as October 2009.

    The report reveals millions of dollars owed to school districts for mandated services such as transportation, nutrition and special education.  In large part, the overdue funds are used to pay for the personnel who manage, implement and maintain these services.

    Senate Democrats issued the report to expose the grim reality and impact of the long economic recession facing
    Illinois and virtually every other state in the
    Union.  Checks have not been issued to schools because revenues have dropped significantly and state bank accounts do not have the cash flow to make the payment on vouchers as they come in.  As a result, the backlog of bills due has reached into the billions of dollars.

    With

    Illinois     facing a $13 billion deficit, interest groups, legislators, politicians and pundits continue to propose both realistic and unrealistic solutions to this historic fiscal crisis.  And, without bi-partisan support for revenue reforms, schools and service providers will continue to lay off employees and wait for hundreds of millions in state support.

    [span class=download]CLICK HERE to download a copy of the report[/span]

     

  • Cullerton, Demuzio present $9900 check to Jacksonville employer for job training reimbursement

    Jacksonville, Ill — Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) and State Senator Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville) joined Jacksonville Mayor Andy Ezard and other area officials to present a check for $9900 to Patrick Miner, Manager of Nestlé Beverage in Jacksonville, as part of a job training grant through the Illinois Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP) of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

  • Statement from Senate President John Cullerton on the State of the State

    Last year this state faced historic challenges. We had impeachment trial of the former Governor, a historic drop in revenues, record deficits, and significant job loss in the state. But last year was also a year of tremendous accomplishment in ethics, bipartisanship and capital.