In the News....
House Speaker Michael J. Madigan
(773) 581-8000
E-mail: mmadigan@hds.ilga.gov
January 25 , 2005
Speaker Madigan Announces Regional Budget Summits to Begin Next Week
Twenty-Three Meetings Planned as Lawmakers Seek Additional Citizen Input on State Budget
SPRINGFIELD --- Speaker Michael J. Madigan announced Tuesday that the Illinois House of Representatives would commence with a series of regional summit meetings on state finances and the budget starting on Saturday, February 5 in Marion.
During his January inaugural address Madigan proposed to his fellow legislators that, in light of the very serious fiscal challenges that continue to confront the state, it was vital that lawmakers educate the public about the state’s fiscal condition, seek suggestions for improving government efficiency while reducing costs and allow individuals, organizations and businesses the opportunity to explain the consequences of past and proposed state spending decisions.
Madigan intends that the summits will be carried out in a completely bipartisan manner. He reached out to House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) to ask for Cross’ help in setting up the forums. Currently, a total of 23 are planned in cities throughout the state in the coming weeks (please see accompanying schedule for more details on dates, times and locations).
“The budget is the single most important matter that the General Assembly will deal with this year,” Madigan said. “We have outlined an ambitious and aggressive schedule for the summits, but the seriousness of the state’s financial condition does not allow for delay.”
Madigan again made clear that the purpose of the forums was not to promote statewide tax increases, but rather to more rigorously engage the state’s citizens in the budget process. The summits are designed to complement the work of standing House appropriations committees.
Speaker’s Bipartisan Summit on State Finances and the Budget
Preliminary Schedule
DATE & TIME |
LOCATION |
|
Marion |
2/05/2005 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. |
John A. Logan College , Batteau Room Caterville |
Rockford |
2/07/2005 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. |
Zeke Giorgi Building, Room TBD Rockford |
Rock Island |
2/12/2005 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. |
County Board Room, 1548 3rd Avenue Rock Island |
Metro East Alton |
2/21/2005 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. |
Lewis & Clark College , Multimedia Room , Godfrey, IL |
Grundy County |
2/21/2005 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. |
White Oaks Elementary, School Cafeteria, Morris, IL |
Decatur |
2/26/2005 Time: TBD |
Place TBD |
McHenry County |
2/28/2005 Time: TBD |
Place TBD |
Champaign |
3/05/2005 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. |
Urbana City Council Chambers, 400 S. Vine Street, Urbana, IL |
Chicago North Suburbs |
3/05/2005 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. |
Wheeling Recreation Center , Room 207 , Wheeling , IL |
Aurora |
3/7/2005 Time: TBD |
Place TBD |
Kankakee |
3/12/2005 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. |
Kankakee Community College Auditorium, Kankakee , IL |
Cicero |
3/14/2005 Time: TBD |
Place TBD |
Chicago North/ Northwest |
3/19/2005 Time: TBD |
Place TBD |
Chicago South Side |
3/19/2005 Time: TBD |
Place TBD |
Please Note : Additional summit meetings are planned for Arlington Heights, Bloomington, DuPage County, Effingham, Elgin, Lake County, Peoria, Park Ridge and Will County. Dates, times and locations will be announced in the coming weeks.
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