State launches budget Web site

[February 25, 2010]  SPRINGFIELD -- Officials from Gov. Pat Quinn's administration announced Wednesday that for the first time in Illinois' history, the public can actively participate in the state's budgeting process. Yesterday the Governor's Office of Management and Budget launched www.budget.illinois.gov, a Web site that allows Illinois residents to provide feedback that will be used to shape the state's fiscal 2011 budget.

"This site allows residents to offer suggestions on how to balance the budget while seeing firsthand the serious financial challenges our state faces," said David Vaught, director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget. "The Quinn administration is committed to openness and transparency, and this site gives everyone the opportunity to become engaged in the budget process."

In the midst of an unprecedented fiscal crisis in Illinois, Quinn recently requested that lawmakers revise the state's budgeting process to allow Illinoisans to become active participants. The Web site reflects the Quinn administration's commitment to educating the public about the state's fiscal challenges and empowers them to help determine solutions.

Visitors to the site will be able to provide suggestions and feedback that the Quinn administration will use to craft the state's fiscal 2011 state budget. The Web site also includes the following information:

• Fiscal 2010 revenues for all budgeted funds, both actual to date and estimated for the full fiscal year.

• Fiscal 2010 expenditures for all budgeted funds, both actual to date and estimated for the full fiscal year.

• Fiscal 2011 estimated revenues for all budgeted funds for the full fiscal year.

• Fiscal 2011 estimated anticipated liabilities for all budgeted funds, including debt service on bonds issued and the state's contributions to the pension systems, for the full fiscal year.

Vaught spoke to the media Wednesday afternoon at the Illinois Capitol to present the new site. The governor will deliver his budget address on March 10.

The public is encouraged to visit www.budget.illinois.gov to get additional information about the state budget and to submit comments.

[Text from file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]