Gov. Bruce Rauner is proposing to cut funding to higher education in Illinois by nearly $400 million. Photo by Judy Harvey

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner made the first move in the state’s budget talks. Now, lengthy debates will begin in the Illinois General Assembly and Kendall County legislators will be right there in the heat of the discussions.

On Feb. 18, Rauner laid out his vision for solving the state’s $6 billion budget deficit and, as he stated during his campaign last year, that vision calls for deep cuts to state services and no plans to raise more revenue.

Some areas that Rauner’s budget takes aim at include funding for higher education, state-run Medicaid and revenue to local governments.  While lacking specifics in many other areas, Rauner did say he wants to see $1.5 billion cut in Medicaid spending and nearly $400 million from higher education.

As expected, reaction to the governor’s address fell along party lines with concessions made to building a sense of cooperation going forward.

“It’s his proposal and it’s a starting point,” offered State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego.

“He has laid out some things I agree with and he said some things I disagree with. But, (his speech) is just a proposal and we have no real specific line items yet. The legislature is willing to work with him once we get details,” she added.

Kifowit, who is a member of the House budget subcommittee, did say she is opposed to cuts in state aid to local municipalities especially in terms of police and fire services.  She also said she was “waiting to see who (Rauner) is targeting in regards to waste in Medicaid spending.”

Kifowit is not in favor of letting services lapse, especially to aid to the elderly and disabled. “You can’t just abandon people,” she said.  Kifowit is beginning her second term in the House.

Fellow Democrat, State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant of Shorewood is particularly critical of Rauner’s budget proposals calling his ideas “harsh” in a press release posted on her web site.

Bertino-Tarrant, whose 49th District includes portions of Oswego and Plainfield, said, “It is not just about making tough decisions, but making the right decisions.”

While calling for a reduction in higher education funding, Rauner also called for increased spending in areas of public education at the K-12 level.

“The governor made a commitment to make education funding a priority- he delivered this today. However, educators are compassionate individuals who do not like to see their gain at the expense of other needed and important services. I am committed to working in a bipartisan manner to ensure that this year’s budget protects essential services,” Bertino-Tarrant stated.

By contrast, Republican State Rep. John Anthony of Plainfield praised Rauner for his ideas and said the budget speech reflects the need to  “think anew and act anew” in attempting to resolved the state’s deficit.

“One positive area we can all rally around is strengthening the state’s commitment to K-12 education, a priority I share as a father of four. I’m also eager to complete my work on criminal justice reform; making the system less costly, more efficient, and above all, accountable to each and every resident of Illinois. The road ahead to overcome the state’s budget challenges will be long and difficult, but I am confident in our ability to meet them together,” he said.

Anthony serves the 75^th District, which includes portions of Kendall, Grundy, LaSalle and Will counties.

The Illinois Education Association, which includes more than 130,000 elementary and secondary teachers in the state, met Rauner’s education proposal with skepticism.

“The budget outlined by the governor (Feb. 18) would injure children in need, devastate higher education and saddle families with huge student loan debt. It is a proposal that would hurt middle class families in every part of Illinois. While the governor’s preK-12 education plan calls for a spending increase, the increase appears to have been achieved by cutting significant programs for children and middle class families,”  the IEA stated in a press release.

The IEA specifically reacted to Rauner’s proposed cuts to arts education, languages, advanced placement, parent mentoring for English language learners, agricultural education, special education and money to help the lowest performing schools.

Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan has said he thinks the state needs to find more revenue sources and not rely on spending cuts alone.

“I said 10 days ago that I don’t think you can cut your way out of the problem,” Madigan was quoted as saying after meeting with Rauner Feb.17, the day prior to the budget address.