Monday November 2, 2015
NorthernStar
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Volume 116 Issue 21
Rauner unmoved in budget fight More info
Keith Hernandez Editor in Chief T @dezjournalism
Gov. Bruce Rauner plans to meet with Illinois legislators Nov. 18 to discuss the impasse, but will not move a budget forward until the General Assembly reforms spending in accordance with his Turnaround Agenda.
DeKalb | More than a couple
hundred voices didn’t budge Gov. Bruce Rauner on Thursday, but not because he couldn’t hear them. Rauner, about 20 pounds lighter than he was in January, said during a visit to NIU he will stay the course on his refusal to continue budget talks until the General Assembly considers spending reforms. The absence of a fourmonth overdue state budget stands in the way of more than 5,000 NIU students attaining Monetary Assistance Program funding. Local organizations and programs, including Safe Passage and the Child Care Assistance Program, have had to scale back services because of the impasse. Rauner said he would veto a $373 million bill that would fund MAP because he does not want a budget that is in a $5 billion deficit to be passed unbalanced or in pieces. “I hate that we’re not funding child care. ... I hate that we’re not getting scholarships for kids who need support,” Rauner said. “It’s driving me nuts, but we’ve got to have a budget that’s really balanced, and we need structural reform.” Students from colleges across the northern Illinois region and community members demonstrated outside of the Holmes Student Center, where Rauner spoke during the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation’s Annual Dinner and State of the County event.
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DeKalb epitomizes the competitive advantages Illinois [has] got going for it. If we could unleash your potential, and the potential of the people in Illinois, we will kick tails. And I am one competitive son of a gun.” Bruce Rauner Illinois Governor
Spending reforms Rauner said he is willing to resume budget talks with the General Assembly if it considers spending reforms that are a part of his Turnaround Agenda. These changes include pension reform, which he said would save Illinois $2 billion annually, and the lowering of property taxes, which are the second highest in the country next to New Jersey, according to the Tax Foundation. “One of the things that will help us get reform is after Jan. 1, any bill only needs a majority to have
policies in Springfield are holding you back.” As a part of the Turnaround Agenda, proposed reforms to increase business friendliness throughout Illinois are to cut worker’s compensation and Medicaid spending, among other reforms. “We can’t just only raise taxes, put a massive tax-hike on our small business owners, our working families, our home owners and think that things will be better,” Rauner said. “That math doesn’t work.” Rauner also proposed less restrictions on competitive bidding, handing control of the bidding process to municipalities instead of Illinois. “DeKalb epitomizes the competitive advantages Illinois [has] got going for it,” Rauner said. “If we could unleash your potential, and the potential of the people in Illinois, we will kick tails. And I am one competitive son of a gun.” Demonstration continued Demonstrators, though few, were Hayley Montalvo | Northern Star still waiting outside of the Holmes Gov. Bruce Rauner speaks at the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation’s Annual Dinner and State of the County event Thursday in the Holmes Student Center, Duke Ellington Ballroom. Rauner spoke to DeKalb business leaders Student Center when the event about cutting regulations that stagnate local business growth. “This is one of the best locations in America to build ended. They held signs pleading for business,” Rauner said. funding for state-funded services. an immediate impact on the bud“It’s just disappointing that all get rather than a supermajority,” across Illinois, domestic violence Rauner said. “So, I’m cautiously shelters are having to turn people optimistic that we get things done away who are fleeing literally for in January. I hate that it’s taking their lives, and the governor is here that long; it should have been done giving a key-note address about the four months ago, but we’re going to economy in DeKalb County,” said stay strong.” Sarah Slavenas, coordinator of preOther changes proposed by vention efforts at Safe Passage. “It’s Rauner are establishing term-limits inappropriate.” on elected officials and redistricting Senior CLCE major Lizbeth Roreform to avoid gerrymandering. man, who had been waiting out“Here’s a sad fact: Because the side of the Holmes Student Center legislature has refused to vote on with Laura Vivaldo, junior politivery common sense bipartisan recal science major, asked NIU Presforms, we don’t have a budget. It’s ident Doug Baker on his way out if ridiculous we don’t have a budget,” he was able to hear demonstrators Rauner said. “It’s unconscionable chanting during the dinner. He did the legislature just refuses to do not, she said. what they should and vote for reRoman and Vivaldo, who carried forms and get real balance.” a sign that read, “Fund Higher Education,” said their conviction to see Hayley Montalvo | Northern Star DeKalb a leading economy Rauner grew with every automated NIU President Doug Baker (left) and associate Vice President Mike Mann talk with The purpose of Rauner’s visit was Senior CLCE major Lizbeth Roman after the DeKalb County Economic Development campus bell. to speak to DeKalb business leaders Corporation’s Annual Dinner and State of the County event. Students and “It’s just another hour, and then community members demonstrated for an end to the state budget impasse. about establishing less restrictions you begin to wonder is he even for businesses to invest in Illinois, a “This is one of the best loca- agriculture and manufacturing here,” Roman said. state he said is stagnating local eco- tions in America to build busi- base, and its proximity to ChicaRauner did not meet with memnomic growth. ness,” Rauner said, citing DeKalb’s go and Rockford. “The tragedy is bers of the demonstration.
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Men’s basketball en route to success
An improved road record last season, a slow-andsteady turnaround and a high-accolade freshman class, among other things, will add to a winning season, according to Sports Editor Chris Loggins: Page 10.