State Budgets: Illinois Budget in Crisis as Governor Clings to Office

Embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) pulled a “Washington Monument” stunt in August when he announced the closure of 12 state historic sites and seven parks to save $2 million, along with layoffs in the Department of Children and Family Services and other agencies (including 85 state employees fired over Thanksgiving weekend). The effort, ostensibly to help close a $2 billion shortfall in the state’s $49 billion budget, has actually led to some closures but the state’s budget shortfall remains. The state is also increasingly having trouble paying its bills. Observers seem to think that a solution must wait for the eventual swearing in of Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn (D).

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