Statement from Governor Pat Quinn Regarding Illinois General Assembly's Actions

SPRINGFIELD - May 27, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today said there is still much left to be done this legislative session in behalf of the people of Illinois.

“Our task is not complete, and there’s more that must be accomplished before this session officially ends.

I remind members of the General Assembly that the people of Illinois are depending upon their elected officials to promptly and squarely address the serious fiscal issues confronting our state.

But I want to commend the General Assembly for approving the Emergency Budget Act. This initiative is included in a process called ’Budgeting for Outcomes,’ which enables the governor and legislators to define spending priorities including job creation, achieve major cost-savings and provide greater accountability to the public through increased disclosure. I also commend legislators for taking more furlough days, decreasing mileage reimbursement and suspending their cost-of-living raises.

In addition, I commend the General Assembly for passing Illinois’ first-ever Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. This is a pro-consumer effort that will give families a much-needed break when buying clothes, books and other school-related goods while also generating greater sales and creating more jobs.

I also urge lawmakers to endorse my Administration’s plan to fund public employee pensions through strategic borrowing at reasonable rates that will save taxpayers billions of dollars.”