Changes that are needed in Illinois

The word change is sweeping the country like wildfire, but here in Illinois we've heard it all before. We've heard Gov. Blagojevich talk about change and reform, but the people of Illinois end up getting more of the same. The promise of change without specific solutions to the important problemsthat face Illinois familiesis likethrowing a coin into a wishing well andexpecting a winning lottery ticket in return. We all hope and dream for a lucky break, but it's no way to plan for our families' future and it's certainly no way to move Illinois forward.

Today Rod Blagojevich will give his sixth budget address laying out his vision for the future of Illinois. If history holds true, massive spending increases accompanied by tax increases will be the heart of his agenda. Media reports have already outlined that his address will at the very least include higher taxes. In light of this budget address and the voters' thirst for change, here are a few ideas that would certainly present change for Illinois.

Spending reform. Spending increases only compound the problem that our children and grandchildren will have to deal with years from now.

What about tax cuts? Recently the federal government, in an effort to curb a perceived economic downturn, passed a bipartisan stimulus package that included tax cuts. If they can do it, why can't we?

Comprehensive ethics legislation must get passed. For more than six months the Illinois Republican Party has called for the passage of the ethics package that Democrats refuse to call up in the Senate. More transparency. Illinois taxpayers deserve a system that provides complete details of government expenditures, contracts, and to whom those contracts are going.

You probably won't hear any of these ideas in Rod Blagojevich's budget address, but if the voters are really ready for change, shouldn't these ideas at least be considered?

Andy McKenna

Chairman

Illinois Republican Party