Burke Urging Governor to Compromise and Pass a Fair and Responsible Budget

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Evergreen Park, issued the following statement Wednesday:

“Our work in Springfield is far from over and I am prepared to work over the summer with Governor Rauner to pass a fair and responsible budget. Illinois has gone 700 days without a budget, pushing our higher education system to the breaking point, jeopardizing life-preserving programs for our seniors, and leaving many our schools without the funds they need to open their doors in the fall. The time for political games is over, it is time to set partisanship aside and work towards repairing our state.

“There are parts of the governor’s agenda I can support – and I have. I voted over a dozen times to freeze property taxes and I supported a plan this spring that would lower property taxes for every single homeowner in Illinois. I also have voted for legislation that will save taxpayers money, including; 1) making it easier to consolidate local units of government; 2) allowing the state to put the Thompson Center up for sale; and 3) modernizing procurement rules so that state agencies and universities can purchase goods and services more competitively. These measures are all part of the governor’s agenda. I also support economic reforms to cut taxes for small businesses, while cracking down on corporations who ship jobs overseas by outlawing any future tax dollars for these companies.

“There are also parts of his agenda I know go too far, and would hurt middle-class families simply to pad corporate profits. The only way we’re going to work through these differences and ultimately pass the balanced budget is through compromise and negotiation.

“I’m prepared to make the compromises necessary to pass a budget that focuses on our strengths, which includes our higher education system. I will continue fighting for the full funding of our education system, expanded financial assistance to ensure our best and brightest choose to attend school here in Illinois, and help all residents receive the education they need to compete in a 21st century economy.”