172 Illinois slush exposed
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Who funds things this way in a rational world?
We have previously written that the state of Illinois has found as what they perceive is a new cash supply, the possible $2 billion dollar tax receipts by taxing retirement income. (They took lessons from the Corpse, Joe Biden who sponsored the tax on retirement income at the federal level back in 1983.)
The question needs to be why does the state of Illinois need two billion dollars more to spend? One answer can be found in the article by the Illinois Policy organization in this article: https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-house-speaker-gets-40m-sports-complex-for-alma-mater/ we hit one of the reasons. The article lists “There are 2,815 items lawmakers funded in their final hours, and those are just the expenditures over $200,000.” Doing simple math we see a minimum of $43 billion being spent by the title alone.
However, one of the items listed is “$40 million grant to Proviso Township High Schools District 209 for “costs associated with capital improvements and a sports complex at Proviso West High School.” It is the alma mater of Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, and the district where he previously served as school board president and launched his political career.” That in and of itself is two percent of the $2 billion dollar pot. Looking through the list that the article supplies we find a number of very questionable recipients. We have private schools, private companies, municipalities, seeking and receiving from this pot of money that is in excess of $43 billion dollars.
The question is this; why does this method of state money disbursement even exist? Years ago, there was a need perceived in Geneseo Illinois to make a new High School Athletic facility. This was funded with individual and corporate donations, a donation by the Geneseo Foundation, a number for of other support organizations and foundations, but $0 from the state of Illinois. Why can little Geneseo Illinois, a town of 6,500 build this for their high school without state funding but we have a list of 2,815 items requiring state funding? Why does the Proviso Township High School District need the ability to fleece state funding for an athletic facility? Do they not have businesses? Do they not have residents and local groups that can put together to make a facility?
Looking at the list, I need to pick on a few recipients. I will start at home first. My Alma Mater. Bradley University. Fleecing the State of Illinois for $2,000,000 for capital improvements. A private college hitting up the state for public funds to basically do maintenance. They are not alone. Loyola University Medical Center $5,000,000 for capital improvements. Knox College $9,200,000 for Infrastructure improvements. Knox College $7,000,000 for Gymnasium improvements.
Private high schools are not exempt either. Lutheran High School in Crete for $1,500,000 for School infrastructure improvements.
There are hospitals, churches, public schools, cities large and small (Chicago, you are big on this list), social organizations, some private companies or private commerce organizations. Many of these are government agencies that already have government funding budgets. How do we have a system in Illinois that has additional funding for these organizations? Should not educational expenses be covered by current education funding and taxation? Private colleges and schools; What exactly is the deal with Knox college and Bradley University. Why state funding?
Illinois brings in a tremendous amount of money. How does a government create a funding system of this nature unless it wants do dictate activity? The Illinois legislature not counting the Fall Veto session is 223 days. If they took no days off they would need to consider almost 13 requests per day. Was each one individually debated and passed? Where is the elected accountability?
This funding mechanism needs to disappear. It creates a corrupt way of financial decision making. Why are funds being solicited for things that should have already been funded with ongoing operational budgets?
I am sure other states do things like this. But in Illinois, where there always seems to be a shortage of money, this creates a dishonest method of fund reporting and also the separation of state and private funding. If the state wishes to have use of space from Bradley University, Know College, or Lutheran High School, then pay rent for the day. That would be a one to one proposal.
Fundamental change is needed for Illinois to be fiscally responsible and accountable legislatively! It means they could just leave retirement income alone as people would have more accountability and not need the $2 billion.
