Lawmakers react to governor’s speech

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Updated: February 22, 2012 12:17PM

State Rep. Jim Durkin, R-82nd of Western Springs, noted the tax increase the governor signed last year as suppose to fix the state’s budget problem.

“A year later the state is no better off than we were, not a penny of it went to pay off our debt,” Durkin said. “Illinois Democrats created a job crushing corporate income tax increase and today goes on about wanting to create jobs. They caused the companies to run across the borders to other states. We are past the point of time for committees and task forces. We need to act upon pension reform and enact Medicaid reforms.”

State Sen. Ron Sandack, R-21st of Downers Grove, said the speech was full of uplifting rhetoric but missed the mark on addressing issues. Sandack is running this year for the 81st state House district under the new legislative maps.

“The ideas for new spending initiatives, which Gov. Quinn presented as investments, is a nice thought, but we can’t pay for our current programs and services,” Sandack said. “His ideas for expansions and even more government spending completely missed the mark and showed a lack of understanding for the fiscal condition of our state.”

State Rep. Chris Nybo, R-41st of Elmhurst, said he was underwhelmed by the speech. Nybo is seeking election to the 24th state Senate district under the new legislative maps.

“There’s a component of this that underscores how little this governor or any other governor in a mess like this can do,” Nybo said. “The financial resources or flexibility does not exist to do anything in Illinois without a fundamental change. The General Assembly also has some blame to accept in this process.”

Nybo said some legislators have been there to long to be concerned about any issue until it reaches a crisis, which is why he supports term limits.

“The legislators that got us nearly $100 billion in debt has proven they are not capable of making the good decisions and the fundamental changes to put Illinois back on track,” he said. “Every piece of legislation I file or support needs to answer these concerns to pass the acid test: Will it promote more jobs? Will it reduce the state’s short and long term deficit? Are the changes we make positive for the long term and sustainable? Can I stand up in my district and defend a responsible act by this chamber and this government? If the answer is no to any of those questions, the legislation needs to be fixed or scrapped.”