Illinois' top export: federal tax dollars

I recently complained about the lack of leadership by our two state senators by pointing out they do not work to obtain a return on our federal tax dollars.

Here are the facts:

We are ranked 45th in the return of our federal tax dollars.

Solving the financial relationship between Washington, D.C., and Springfield needs to be our first priority.

The number one Illinois export is our federal tax dollars.

While Illinois sends $89 billion to Washington, D.C., we receive only $65 billion in federal assistance.

The difference of $24 billion represents the Illinois export of our federal taxes to the rest of the nation.

This is an amount that equals 41 percent of the $59 billion Illinois state budget. The $24 billion loss has a staggering impact on our families and communities.

This inequality costs each man, woman and child in Illinois $1,800.

Senators Obama and Durbin take note. One of you is running for president and the other is coming up for a re-election.

How about working for us back here in Illinois!

Peter Brunk

Palatine