Sept. 13, 2007
Groups targeted by the governor’s budget cuts will have a chance to voice their concerns to state legislators at a public hearing on the Illinois Valley Community College campus.
The hearing, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26 in the college’s Cultural Centre, is one of 19 bipartisan public hearings scheduled through the state through House Speaker Michael Madigan’s office.
Illinois lawmakers and Gov. Rod Blagojevich wrangled through the legislative session and into August before a state budget was finally passed. The governor then changed the budget through his amendatory veto power, saying that the state did not have enough money to pay for all of the projects approved by the General Assembly.
The hearings represent the legislators’ attempt to garner public support to override some of Blagojevich’s vetoes.
Madigan contents that those hit hard by the budget cuts include health care providers, schools, emergency response and senior citizens service providers as well as cuts to transportation, infrastructure, job training and economic development.
Legislators representing the Illinois Valley, including Spring Valley Democrat Frank Mautino, are expected to attend the hearing, which is open to the public.
Instructor Mike Phillips said students should attend the hearing to learn more about how government operates. Phillips plans to have a voter registration table available.