Get pros to sort out budget mess

Are you aware of the American Institute of CPA's article listing Illinois as number four among the top 10 fiscally-dangerous states to live in right now?

According to an article published March 1 by the AICPA, in terms of tax increases, reduced services and delayed refunds, Illinois is an extremely dangerous state in which to live. The article points out that it usually takes five years for a state to recover from a typical recession. As we all know, the Great Recession has been anything but a typical recession.

Legislators and the governor need to heed the article's advice and start running the state's fiscal affairs with financial professionals who will help them address the pension challenges, Medicaid eligibility issues, and cost cuts advocated by many including the Civic Federation, U.S. Government Accountability Office, Taxpayers Action Board, Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago and the Illinois Policy Institute.

Legislators need to avoid allegations that the General Assembly is guilty of "gross negligence" of their fiduciary duties. We need to tell our legislators to arm themselves with the professional help needed in a fiscal crisis. Tell them that they need to act swiftly to re-engineer Illinois' cost structure and then adopt prudent sources of revenue that foster a healthy climate for future development and recovery.

Mike Tennis

Sleepy Hollow