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Thursday, February 5, 2015
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Rauner hits taxes, unions in address The Associated Press
Springfield | Gov. Bruce Rauner
presented an ambitious first-year agenda Wednesday in a 12-page speech that proposed measures he said would help Illinois better compete with its neighbors and repair a multibillion-dollar budget hole. Here’s a look at his plans: Taxes Rauner has proposed freezing property taxes for two years and expanding the sales tax base as part of a “taxpayer empowerment” plan. Rauner suggests real estate taxes not increase above 2015 levels except for new construction or property under other narrow restrictions. He said he wants to “modernize” the sales tax to include services such as haircuts or automotive repairs. Schools Rauner, a Winnetka Republican, wants to make the increases to school funding a top priority despite a general warning for weeks of painful budget cuts. He said Wednesday during his State of the State address that Illinois must “avoid slipping further behind other states in the quality of our children’s education.” But Rauner hasn’t said how he’d pay for the increase or how it might affect other areas of the budget. The state faces a $5.7 billion budget gap next year after the expiration of Illinois’ temporary income tax increase. Rauner also said he wants to lift the cap on the number of charter schools to offer more choices.
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Local reaction Rep. Bob Pritchard, R-Hinckley
“I feel we’ve been short-changing our investments, defunding higher education. And the consequences of that is higher tuition and fees. ... Those are all areas that I am really optimistic that we’re going to attack and I look forward to some solutions.” Tom Demmer, R-Rochelle
“I thought the governor’s inclusion of community colleges and vocational training programs shows that he really is committed to increasing job opportunities because that’s where you learn some of the most important skills that are needed in jobs that are available in the state right now.” employees or how much the hires would add to the state payroll.
Government consolidation Rauner said Illinois must consolidate or eliminate some of its more than 7,000 units of government, noting during Wednesday’s speech that Illinois has more government units than any other state. Those units include school districts, townships and fire protection districts. Rauner said “taxpayers can no longer afford all of them.” Rauner pointed to steps taken by DuPage County to consolidate its government agencies. DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin’s office says those efforts helped save about $30 million per year and eliminate 50 fulltime positions. He Prisons said a task force led by Lt. Gov. EvGov. Bruce Rauner wants to hire elyn Sanguinetti will identify ways more prison guards, reform the to consolidate government. parole system and invest in a state program that keeps non-violent of- Right to work zones fenders out of prison. Rauner is advocating for soRauner also said he wants to con- called “right to work zones” where tinue to invest in a program known local officials could decide whethas Adult Redeploy. Adult Redeploy er union fees would be voluntary helps fund programs that divert for local workers. non-violent offenders to commuRauner says local communities nity-based programs, rather than “deserve this option so that they sending them to prison. can compete with other states and He hasn’t said how his adminis- other nations for new businesses tration would pay for the additional and new investments.”
Brandon Semel | Northern Star
Freshman business major Christine White (left) and Matthew Pepper, sophomore electrical engineering major, got up close and personal with an Egyptian fruit bat at Incredible Bats Wednesday in Montgomery Auditorium. “It’s my first time seeing a real live bat,” White said.
Brandon Semel | Northern Star
A bat hangs in an enclosure at Incredible Bats Wednesday inin Montgomery Auditorium.
Brandon Semel | Northern Star
Elise White, senior environmental science major, investigates a bat skeleton Wednesday.