All talk, no action at meeting to avert DuPage Co. 'doomsday' budget

There was lots of talk but no action Monday as DuPage County Board members sought to find a solution to the county's looming fiscal crisis.

Chairman Robert Schillerstrom's so-called "doomsday" budget for 2008 is $9.5 million less than the 2007 version in the corporate fund, which pays for most salaries. The fallout involves about 200 layoffs, mostly in public safety jobs and cuts to health and environmental programs.

Suggestions that tax revenues flowing into the DuPage County Health Department be used to shore up other departments, such as law enforcement, drew criticism from board member Linda Kurzawa.

"You can't solve the problem on the backs of public health," said Kurzawa, who is also health board chairman.

Board member Jim Healy questioned the health department's spending on mental health.

"I realize the state of Illinois has dropped the ball on this," Healy said, "but is it the responsibility of the county?"

Health department Executive Director Maureen McHugh said the county provides mental health services for severely, chronically mentally ill individuals.

"It's an expensive group to take care of," McHugh acknowledged. But she countered that reducing programs for the mentally ill could mean more people in the county jail.

The county board has until Friday to vote on the budget and may decide as soon as today. Meanwhile, as time runs out, tensions are growing.

"We need to ask ourselves how we'd like to be in our employees' positions," board member Robert Schroeder asked. "We all know the Golden Rule. I cannot tell our employees there is no hope."

There is a possibility of new revenues if voters pass a referendum Feb. 5 on raising the sales tax by a quarter-cent to fund public safety.

But board member Paul Fichnter argued that "we can lean on hope all we want but what we're seeing here are actual numbers."