Quinn Administration Launches First-Ever Interactive Budget Web Site at Budget.Illinois.gov

SPRINGFIELD - Officials from Governor Pat Quinn's Administration today announced that, for the first time in Illinois' history, the public can actively participate in the state's budgeting process. The Governor's Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) today 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 year 2011 budget.

"This site allows residents to offer suggestions on how to balance the budget while seeing first-hand 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, Governor Quinn recently requested 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 year 2011 state budget. The Web site also includes the following information:

• Fiscal year 2010 revenues for all budgeted funds, both actual to date and estimated for the full fiscal year;
• Fiscal year 2010 expenditures for all budgeted funds, both actual to date and estimated for the full fiscal year;
• Fiscal year 2011 estimated revenues for all budgeted funds for the full fiscal year;
• Fiscal year 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.

David Vaught, Director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget, will speak to the media at 2:30 p.m. today in the Blue Room of the Illinois Capitol to present the new site. Governor Quinn 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 of Illinois budget and to submit comments.