Quinn Slashes New State Budget by $57 Million
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: June 30, 2012
CHICAGO - Illinois Governor Pat Quinn put his signature on the state budget Saturday, but not before going through it with a red pen at the last minute.
Quinn cut an extra $57 million from the $33.7 trillion spending plan.
A large chunk of that was supposed to keep several state facilities open, including Dwight's prison.
But Quinn vetoed that plan Saturday.
Instead, he said the money should be redirected to the Department of Children and Family Services.
Lawmakers cut its budget by $50 million, which Quinn said is too severe.
"A cut of $50 million by the General Assembly was far too much. We are under court consent decrees with the federal court. We have obligations to these children who are depending on us. To cut that dept. by $50 million is I think not the way to go," he said.
Redirecting the money will require approval from lawmakers.
The state budget goes into effect Sunday, July 1.
It also cuts education $200 million and child welfare by $85 million.
A complete breakdown can be found here.
Quinn cut an extra $57 million from the $33.7 trillion spending plan.
A large chunk of that was supposed to keep several state facilities open, including Dwight's prison.
But Quinn vetoed that plan Saturday.
Instead, he said the money should be redirected to the Department of Children and Family Services.
Lawmakers cut its budget by $50 million, which Quinn said is too severe.
"A cut of $50 million by the General Assembly was far too much. We are under court consent decrees with the federal court. We have obligations to these children who are depending on us. To cut that dept. by $50 million is I think not the way to go," he said.
Redirecting the money will require approval from lawmakers.
The state budget goes into effect Sunday, July 1.
It also cuts education $200 million and child welfare by $85 million.
A complete breakdown can be found here.
Comments
Dwight closure has me scared. I think from what I am told it is very cost effective. By that I mean operating cost are low.
Wayne V.
June 30, 2012 at 9:20 pm
Dwight closure has me scared. I think from what I am told it is very cost effective.
Wayne V.
June 30, 2012 at 9:20 pm
