What is the plan after this is over?

The number of people who have contracted COVID-19 are relatively few. However, the impact of our state leader's executive order has caused harm to many more. Those that were not locked out of their source of income are working on reduced hours, some were furloughed without pay and others were simply laid off. Those needing unemployment insurance can't get through by phone and the website is broken. Loss of income hasn't been the only side effect. I know people that had vital surgeries canceled to make room for coronavirus patients that never came.

I don't want to debate whether or not extending this lockdown saves lives or whether allowing only 10 people to attend church services is constitutional (like Willow Creek Church can't meet social distancing requirements with more than 10 people) or Dollar Tree can be open but Fannie May can't or why the "science" dictates a family of four can sit in their boat in a garage but not on the water. My question is, what is the plan after this is all over with?

There will be no debate that income tax revenue will be down this year. So too will be sales taxes and sin taxes from alcohol sales. The state will not collect taxes from any businesses that have closed their doors for good. I can bet too, that any calculation of increased tax revenue from shifting from a flat tax to a graduated tax has now evaporated.

Just prior to the shutdown, the state's bond ratings dropped to near junk level. A federal bailout seems unlikely. Will Illinois finally face fiscal reality and downsize its budget, reform its wasteful pension system and cut nonessential special interest spending? Can they do that without closing down state parks and cutting services to the mentally ill?

Ron Feldman

Roselle