Senator John O. Jones

SENATE WEEK IN REVIEW JUNE 29- JULY 2

Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed a major budget measure, Senate Bill 1197, on July 1, claiming that he had no choice but to reject the proposal, which he said “does not effectively address Illinois’ growing budgetary and economic calamity.”

State Sen. John O. Jones (R- Mt. Vernon) said that the Governor’s veto was not unexpected – he addressed a joint session of the General Assembly on June 30, and pledged to veto the budget, saying he would keep lawmakers in Springfield until a budget more to his liking is passed.

Fiscal Year 2010 began on July 1, meaning Illinois is now operating without a signed budget – the Governor did not act on other portions of the budget and would not say whether or not he intended to approve the remainder of the budget.

SENATE WEEK IN REVIEW JUNE 22-26

MT. VERNON, IL - The state’s Democrat leaders adjourned a special legislative session and made plans to return the following week, but made no progress toward adopting a Fiscal Year 2010 budget proposal, despite the fact the end of the current fiscal year is rapidly approaching.

Frustrated by the lack of progress, Senate Republicans offered an alternative “bridge” budget, which would keep state government functioning and social service programs operational. State Sen. John O. Jones (R-Mt. Vernon) said they decided to offer the temporary proposal because negotiations that should have been going on back in March are only now beginning to take place. As was the case when Rod Blagojevich was governor, the current Governor and his fellow Democrats who control the state legislature have been unable to agree on any plan.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS UPSET AT INACTION

SPRINGFIELD, IL – With only six days left in the current fiscal year and hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans who depend on critical state services, State Reps. John Cavaletto (R-Salem), David Reis (R-Ste.Marie) and State Sen. John O. Jones (R-Mt. Vernon) are upset that nothing was accomplished during the Special Session.

The lawmakers were hoping to take votes on the budget so that critical state services could continue after July 1. Republican members of the General Assembly have been advocating for a fiscally responsible state budget that enacts spending reforms. They also proposed a “bridge” budget that would fund human service providers at the previous fiscal year levels.

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