AURORA, Ill. – In response to false and misleading partisan spin about the bipartisan budget compromise, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, is inviting area residents to hear the truth at a “What Is Really Happening In Springfield?” discussion on Saturday, Aug. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Waubonsie Valley High School, located at 2590 Ogden Avenue in Aurora.

“Partisan special interest groups—including Governor Rauner and his supporters—have been spreading false and slanted news about the bipartisan budget and the education funding reform bill I helped pass,” Kifowit said. “I believe taxpayers deserve to know the truth and in this era of ‘fake news’ it’s more important now than ever that elected officials and citizens engage in a frank, honest dialogue based on the facts, not partisan spin.”

Kifowit will be joined by state Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, Naperville Township Assessor Warren Dixon, III, Ralph Martire from the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, and representatives from Advance Illinois. Topics to be discussed include the recently passed bipartisan, compromise budget, property taxes and education funding reform. Check-in starts at 8:15 a.m. and each panel will lead a discussion every hour beginning at 8:30 until 11:30 to give residents the opportunity to hear all discussions.

“Right-wing news outlets have mischaracterized and even outright lied about the events in Springfield, leaving residents confused and angry,” Holmes said. “My hope is this seminar will set the record straight about the challenges our state faced during the governor’s budget crisis and the steps I took to end it.”