Scherer To Continue Push For Full Budget, Calls On Rauner To Resume Negotiations

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, issued the following statement Wednesday:

“The fact that our state has gone two years without a budget is unacceptable. Real people are being hurt by Governor Rauner’s budget impasse, and they can’t wait. The lack of urgency that he has shown on the budget crisis has caused severe damage to our communities: schools are at risk of being unable to open, women are unable to access lifesaving breast cancer screenings, domestic violence shelters are shutting their doors, and that’s not half of the pain the governor’s impasse has inflicted.

“I have taken steps to move Illinois forward on a budget by meeting the governor half way to address the priorities that we agree on. To help business owners create jobs in our area, I supported economic reforms that cut taxes and fees on small and medium-sized businesses. The governor keeps pushing for a property tax freeze, and I helped pass legislation that actually cuts property taxes and provides real relief to homeowners across the state. Yet the governor refuses to resume negotiations and work in good faith to pass a responsible budget. His words are just that: talk with no action behind it.

“I remain ready to do whatever it takes to end this impasse, and I urge the governor to come back to the table and focus on passing an honest, balanced budget that is fair to taxpayers and also protects our most vulnerable residents. Now is not the time for campaign ads or political games. It’s time for a budget. We can and must do better for the families in my district and throughout Illinois.”