Metropolis…State Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) is urging Democrat House and Senate leaders to embrace cuts to state government bureaucracy following the release of a memo from the Governor’s office and the Governor’s office of Management and Budget last week. The memo directs state agencies under the control of the governor to plan for a 6.5 % reduction in budgets for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 and asks for suggestions on which state boards and commissions could be eliminated or consolidated. Illinois currently has 306 different boards and commissions.
“Since taking office, I have repeatedly stated my opposition to further tax increases and skyrocketing government spending,” Windhorst said. “Last week’s news that the governor and his team are taking pro-active steps to cut waste in Illinois state government is encouraging. From passing the largest budget in State history to doubling the gas tax and raising taxes and fees on a multitude of products and services, Illinois’ state legislature put the State on the hook for about $85 billion in spending. That is a staggering number and one that does not match up well with the reality that our citizens are already the highest taxed in the nation, and that Illinois has been losing population by the tens of thousands every year.”
The memo directs agencies to include a scenario in which 6.5 percent of current year funding would go away and are asked to find the savings through operational efficiencies. Windhorst says that beyond the 6.5 percent across-the-board cut, agencies have been asked to examine lists of boards and commissions under their purview, with a stated goal of reducing those numbers by 10 percent.
“The governor’s staff acknowledges in its budget cuts memo that Illinois continues to face significant financial challenges,” Windhorst said. “That is not news to me or to many other Illinois taxpayers. Hopefully this memo is just the beginning of a process that will produce positive results for taxpayers and a limit to the size, scope, and cost of Illinois state government.”
The Illinois legislature returns to Springfield for a two-week Veto Session on October 28th and again in January for the 2nd spring Session of the 101st General Assembly.
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