Throw out lawmakers who won't balance budget

The elections in November are not far away. It is time for the voters to throw out the Illinois state legislators that voted for a multi-billion-dollar unbalanced budget.

These are mostly Democrats, but any Republicans that voted for the budget should be tossed out, too. If Rauner were up for re-election, he should be tossed out, too, because he signed the budget bill even though he proposed a balanced budget that the Democrats disregarded.

Rauner should have told the legislators that he would only sign a balanced budget bill. Then it would be up to the legislators to balance the budget or override the govenor's veto or shut the stae down.

To balance the budget now would require a 20 percent across-the-board cut in spending or a 25 percent increase in tax revenue or some combination of both.

These are big numbers and are only getting worse. One day, the financial markets will say no more borrowing for Illinois. When that day comes, there will be a crisis with huge layoffs of state employees and big reductions in state spending for roads, schools, etc.

The state cannot file bankruptcy, but the consequences will be similar to bankruptcy. Serious spending cuts need to be made and tax increases need to be done. The budget needs to be balanced and the current crop of legislators do not have the stomach or will to get it done. So, voters, it is time to revolt and put new people in place that will address the problems next year. Balance the budget!

John Stevens

Hoffman Estates