Casting tough vote to put state back on track

Recently, officials in Springfield overrode the governor's veto to finally enact a balanced budget for our state. Seniors services, domestic violence shelters, nonprofit organizations and other lifesaving programs and agencies are receiving the funding they deserve.

Additionally, road projects and construction are starting again, putting many people back to work repairing our crumbling infrastructure. The budget that our local State Representative Linda Chapa LaVia supported brought millions to our local economy, which creates jobs and builds the middle-class. Taking tough votes that balance the budget and asking the ultrawealthy to pay their fair share should be recognized, welcomed and praised, because if a budget was not enacted, and Governor Rauner got his way, Illinoisans would be saddled with a $26 billion tax hike next year.

That is what our governor wants: an insurmountable and unending crisis to manufacture and blame on people willing to do their job. Faced with a governor who would rather campaign than do what's right, I thank Chapa LaVia for taking the tough votes necessary to put our state back to work and back on track.

Mark Guethle

Trustee, Village of North Aurora