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Central Illinois Gazette

Untouched by Quinn's "new" budget

Posted by: Tom Kacich

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 3:30 PM

Gov. Pat Quinn unveiled a new "tough choices" budget today that calls for another $1 billion spending cuts -- but appears to leave higher education untouched.

Quinn has said all along that he wanted to leave higher ed -- a frequent budget target under former Gov. Blagojevich -- undamaged in this year's budget. But with $1 billion in overall cuts it was difficult to believe that could happen.

And maybe it still will happen.

But Quinn's latest budget proposal appears to focus on grants to social service agencies ($250 million); state operations, including layoffs and furloughs ($185 million); elementary and secondary education ($175 million); Medicaid and health insurance ($140 million); corrections ($125 million); additional reserves ($100 million).

There is $25 million set aside for cuts to "other state offices, departments and agencies not under the governor" that might include higher ed.

This "new" budget still includes $4.2 milion from a temporary income tax increase, which by no means is a given.

It also includes $2.2 billion from the pension notes deal that the governor first endorsed last week, then a few hours later helped kill in the Senate.

That's where Quinn is right now. That can all change quickly, of course.