Crespo Urges Governor to Work on a Path Forward to Close Budget Deficit

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, released the following statement on Wednesday:

“I am frustrated that the governor continues to play partisan games, all the while the state’s debt burden on taxpayers grows larger every day. His lack of urgency to pass a balanced budget has resulted in Illinois’ bill backlog tripling to an unprecedented $14.3 billion. The back and forth must stop. It’s time for the governor to meet the General Assembly half way and a pass budget.

“In this legislative session, we worked to find common ground on non-budgetary items that the governor held as pre-conditions to negotiating a state budget. He talked about freezing property taxes, and I voted to cut property taxes for all Illinois residents. He called on the General Assembly for changes to the worker’s compensation system, and we delivered by passing real reforms that would ensure that savings are passed on to our local small- and medium-sized businesses, instead of being used to pad big insurance companies’ profits.

“Compromise is the only way to resolve our problems and pass an honest, balanced budget. I will continue working throughout the summer to put an end to this impasse, and I urge the governor to work with us on a compassionate and cost-effective path forward.”

Crespo represents the 44th District, which includes all or portions of Bartlett, Elgin, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg and Streamwood.