This week, State Treasurer Dan Rutherford drew a line in the sand. Dismissing shortsighted calls for more borrowing, he pledged to warn would-be lenders against extending more credit to Illinois’s spendthrift state government. I spoke with Rutherford about his stand; listen in.
Much of the state’s borrowing in recent years has been for government employee pensions costs – which are climbing annually. But this pattern of borrowing for pensions could someday halt if a pension reform proposal succeeds in Springfield.
Pension reform language was just posted at the statehouse. Collin Hitt read the bill and offers up his review here. Simply put, a vote for pension reform will brighten this state’s future – a vote against it will push Illinois further into economic decline.
This is the change we’ve been waiting for. Make sure your voice is heard in this momentous debate. Call your state rep now. (For info on your state rep CLICK HERE)
Thank you,
Kristina Rasmussen
Executive Vice President
Illinois Policy Institute
WeAre21.org
Did you know that the average state government worker earns 23 percent more than the average Illinoisan? Broken down, taxpayer by taxpayer, it takes 21 private sector workers to fund just one government job. Watch the Institute’s web-film on the issue by clicking the image above.
The Pulse of Illinois – New Poll Commissioned by the Institute
In conjunction with pollster Scott Rasmussen’s visit this week, the Illinois Policy Institute commissioned a poll to check the pulse of Illinois on taxes, the state budget, pensions, federal bailouts and more. The results are in: Illinois voters want pension reform by a nearly 3-to-1 margin.
Upcoming Events
Connecting the Loop to the Hill: Join the Institute and Congressman Robert Dold on June 8
What: Congressman Robert Dold, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres
When: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8
Where: Illinois Policy Institute, 190 S. LaSalle St., 40th Floor, Chicago
RSVP here: http://representativedold.eventbrite.com/
Join our friends at The Heartland Institute for America’s Ticking Bankruptcy Bomb: Lunch with Author Peter Ferrara
What: Heartland’s Author Series
When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, June 20
Where: Petterino’s, 150 N. Dearborn St., Chicago
RSVP here: https://heartlandevents.kimbia.com/peterferrara
Recent Institute Media Appearances
- WCIA-3 Central Illinois – You Paid For It: State Employees – A new study by the Illinois Policy Institute shows the disparity in pay between the average state worker and the average private sector worker in Illinois.
- ABC-20 Springfield – The Pulse of Illinois: A Poll – In conjunction with a visit from national pollster Scott Rasmussen, we also released a poll about issues trending in Illinois. Springfield’s ABC affiliate reported on the results.
- Associated Press: More Public-Private Partnerships Ahead? – The Illinois Policy Institute was included in an Associated Press story about public and private partnerships for state construction projects.
- Big Business Bribes Bad for Business – John Tillman was on FOX Chicago to discuss a $230 milion spending plan to keep businesses from leaving the state.
- Drowning in Debt and Promises – Dan Proft was on FOX Chicago to discuss pension reform.
- Harper College President Expense Account: Like A “Petty Cash Fund” – Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman was quoted in a May 22 Daily Herald story about the way Harper College President Ken Ender uses his taxpayer-funded expense account.