PARK RIDGE, IL — Tuesday the Budgeting for Results (BFR) Commission released a report recommending specific spending reforms to restore fiscal health to Illinois. State Senator Dan Kotowski of Park Ridge is chairman of the BFR Commission, which also includes finance experts, business professionals, academics and a bi-partisan team of elected officials. The entire report can be viewed at www.budget.illinois.gov.
“This is historic spending reform that’s real,” Senator Kotowski said. “The specific recommendations this commission makes will direct the budget office to eliminate automatic funding of state programs. From now on, all state programs must demonstrate that they’re working, achieving results, helping people the way they were intended to or they’re cut – period.”
Recently the BFR Commission held public hearings in Chicago and Springfield at which Illinoisans testified about the impact and performance of state programs. The commission has analyzed spending and received feedback from Illinoisans for months. This study and public input has led the BFR Commission to recommend theses action oriented results:
• Transparency and efficiency in government services
• Equal access to quality education
• Economic development that produces sufficient job opportunities
• Public safety infrastructure/mechanisms to protect Illinoisans
• Access to quality affordable health care
• Human Services for all residents, especially children, to enhance quality of life
• Preservation of cultural and environmental resources for residents and visitors
The BFR Commission will continue to meet throughout the year and oversee the implementation of Budgeting for Results as Governor Pat Quinn proposes his budget and the legislative appropriations process takes place.
“This is going to shake up the way business has traditionally been done in Springfield,” Kotowski said. “All across Illinois families face tough choices every day about what they absolutely need to spend money on and what they can do without. They make those choices based on value. It’s time state government did the same.”
