In his budget address, Gov. Bruce Rauner presented proposals he claimed would make our economy grow and consider the needs of the next generation. It's difficult to imagine a package of proposals more damaging to children and families.
The Voices for Illinois Children's Kids Count 2015 Report details the struggles facing children and families today. In 2013, 21 percent of Illinois children lived in households with incomes below poverty, compared to 17 percent in 2007. Children from low-income families now constitute more than half of our state's public school enrollment. Median income for families with children has dropped by 13 percent since 1999 (when adjusted for inflation). Substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect (which often rise during economic difficulties) have increased by 27 percent statewide since 2006.
Rauner's budget plan for "a better tomorrow for our children" includes cuts to child care assistance for families, after-school programs, child protection services, public health and public transportation.
These cuts directly harm children and families. They will also slow down our economy by eliminating the jobs impacted by the service cuts and the support families need such as child care and public transportation.
Contrary to financial experts' advice that we need revenue enhancements as well as budget cuts to restore our state's fiscal health, Rauner calls for deep cuts only while decreasing revenue by lowering the income tax rate on which the current year's budget was based. He is taking Illinois in the wrong direction.
PEGGY PATTEN
Urbana
Letter: Rauner is taking state in the wrong direction | News-Gazette.com
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