Suburban groups among budget cut protesters

SPRINGFIELD - If state budget cuts go through as planned next month, 165 Elgin area children would lose before- and after-school programs among other services offered through the Boys and Girls Club.

In protest, students and staff from the club joined thousands of others at the Capitol on Tuesday, urging lawmakers and Gov. Pat Quinn to come up with a better budget plan even if it means raising taxes.

"Not only will we have people lose their jobs, but then we can't serve as many kids as we have in the past," said Keavy Dixson, area director for the club.

A grant the group relies on for funding would be cut under the budget lawmakers approved last month but have not actually sent on to the governor's desk. Quinn called that budget unacceptable and ordered lawmakers to reconsider raising taxes, which he supports. His proposed two-year, 50 percent increase in the personal and corporate tax was rejected last month.

And while Quinn has told groups like the Elgin Boys and Girls Club that they'd lose their funding, he's also said he finds such cuts unacceptable.

The challenge he faces is convincing lawmakers to support a tax increase. At this point it remains unclear whether there will be any vote this week on such a plan. Lawmakers are likely to be back at the Capitol next week as this state budget runs out on the 30th and the new budget - if there is one - starts July 1.

Dixson said the Elgin group was going to lawmakers' offices to distribute cards and letters explaining how the budget cuts would affect the program and the children, in hopes of swaying some votes.

"My argument would be that it's about the future and saving our kids and if we can't provide for them then what is the purpose of being here?" she said.