Illinois’ financial outlook could go from bad to catastrophic, according to a new analysis of state budget figures from a government watchdog group.
The report from the non-partisan Civic Federation comes two days before Gov. Pat Quinn is scheduled to deliver his State of the State address, traditionally a chance to tout the health of the state. The analysis, which projected state budget numbers five years ahead, found Illinois’ $4 billion backlog of unpaid bills could climb to more than $34 billion by 2017.
“All governors like to talk about the positive aspects of their administration and certainly Governor Quinn has some positive aspects,” Civic Federation President Laurence Msall said. “But the fiscal reality of the state of Illinois isn’t rosy and it isn’t optimistic.”
The report points to rising pension costs and medical bills for the poor and uninsured as the primary culprits of increased state spending. Among the Civic Federation’s suggestions for reining in state finances are reducing automatic 3 percent increases built-in to retirement pay for government workers and increasing the cigarette tax.
“It’s a very frightening situation,” Msall said. “It’s one that calls for not half measures, not politically massaged answers. It calls for significant, drastic action by the state of Illinois.”
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Kristen McQueary covers state government for the Chicago News Cooperative and WBEZ.