 But more importantly, lawmakers also said they sent the governor
this clear message: He must not threaten to close state facilities
to get what he wants from the state budget.Lawmakers on Tuesday
approved this new spending authority for Quinn. The House approved
it with a 92-20 vote and the Senate with a 50-5 vote.
The money, which was taken from Illinois' regional
superintendents, school transportation accounts and the Medicaid
budget by delaying payment on more Medicaid bills, will keep the
seven sites open through the end of June.
The sites are:
-
Chester Mental
Health Center in Chester.
-
H. Douglas Singer
Mental Health Center in Rockford.
-
Tinley Park Mental
Health Center in Tinley Park.
-
Jacksonville
Developmental Center in Jacksonville.
-
Jack Mabley
Developmental Center in Dixon.
-
Illinois Youth
Camp Murphysboro in Murphysboro.
-
Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln.
Quinn has said he wants to close Illinois' "institutional sites"
and move residents with mental health issues to community care
centers. That means the long-term future of the Singer, Tinley Park,
Mabley and Jacksonville centers is still in doubt.
There is little support in the Legislature to close the Logan
Correctional Center, Murphysboro youth camp or Chester Mental Health
Center because of safety concerns. Murphysboro is home to dozens of
juvenile inmates and Chester to inmates receiving mental health
treatment rather than serving prison terms.
A final decision on the future of the Singer, Tinley Park, Mabley
and Jacksonville centers is expected in the spring. And state Rep.
Patti Bellock, R-Hinsdale, said Quinn will need to play a role in
the decision.
"I see that the governor is starting to show that he wants to
work with the legislators and share ideas," Bellock said.
Lawmakers and Statehouse insiders have criticized Quinn for
introducing a budget plan, then walking away from the budget-making
process. Bellock said the governor cannot take that approach this
spring.
University of Illinois at Springfield political science professor
Kent Redfield is quick to say Quinn's critics are not wrong.
"I think it's a fair criticism to say Gov. Quinn was absent from
the budget-making process last year," Redfield said.
[to top of second column] |
The professor said Quinn can play a role in crafting the next
state budget, but he must show lawmakers that he can change.
"People have an image of Pat Quinn as full of bombast," said
Redfield. "I think it's going to take real work on the part of the
governor to change that image."
State Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, who helped write the
Democratic spending plan last spring, said he expects Quinn to do
that hard work.
"I think the governor will be more engaged, earlier on," Mautino
said. "I think the governor is going to be more active, because next
year's budget is going to be more difficult than this year."
Illinois will need:
-
At least $1
billion more to cover rising pension costs.
-
$490 million for
rising Medicaid costs.
-
$1.5 billion for unpaid Medicaid bills
from this year.
And lawmakers will be seeking more money for schools or social
service programs that some say have been shorted in funds during the
past few years.
State Rep. Will Davis, D-Crestwood, another Democratic budget
architect, said he opposes another austere budget because he cannot
tell his schools that they will once again have to make do with
less.
"In some cases, some of us wanted to say there is an opportunity
to add additional dollars to other things," Davis added.
Davis said he will not support another legislative cap on state
spending, but lawmakers may have to craft a budget that relies on
less money than the current spending plan.
Lawmakers are expected to have a new state budget in place by May
31. Illinois' current budget expires June 30.
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By BENJAMIN YOUNT]
 |
