Illinois Senate President John Cullerton opened CTBA’s 8th Annual Fiscal Symposium by saying that the budget is tight and the state agencies have already been cut to the bare bones. Cullerton said that the state must pass a budget bill and a capital bill and there is a $3 billion gap. That gap must be filled either through a temporary or permanent tax increase or other methods but the money must be found to move forward.
CTBA's 7th Annual Fiscal Symposium highlighted Illinois’ chronic annual budget shortfalls, and what was, or was not, being done to address this issue, as well as what other states are doing to address similar fiscal problems.
Public sector investment decisions in infrastructure, like schools, housing, transit, and healthcare, are imperative to creating a positive business climate in Illinois and in helping make the state competitive in an evolving global economy. This investment also produces a well trained workforce that has access to good jobs in every community.
CTBA's 7th Annual Fiscal Symposium explored the critical nature of these decisions and their impact on the long-term economic growth of Illinois.
CTBA's Annual Fiscal Symposium was held on January 17, 2006, and explored the current status of Illinois’ finances and what must be done to ensure Illinois has the sustainable capacity to fund public education, health care, human services, the state pension system, economic development and other essential state services, fairly, competitively and adequately.
In FY2006, Illinois faced its fifth consecutive, multi-billion dollar budget deficit. How Illinois responded to this crisis impacted thousands of families, seniors and businesses, as well as the state's long-term fiscal health. CTBA's Annual Fiscal Symposium was held on January 19, 2005, and explored the current status of Illinois’ finances and what must be done to ensure that Illinois remains competitive in terms of public education and human services delivery, economic development, job creation and overall quality of life for its residents.