SPRINGFIELD—State Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued the statement below after Gov. Rauner issued an amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1, a proposal that would change how Illinois schools are funded.

“Illinois has among the highest property taxes in the nation, with a majority of those local tax dollars going to schools. Reforming the school funding formula is the only serious way to provide homeowners with meaningful property tax relief.

“Gov. Rauner’s decision to veto Senate Bill 1, which shifts the burden of paying for schools from local property tax dollars onto the state, is truly disappointing. I continue to stand committed to working toward fixing a school funding system that will give homeowners meaningful property tax relief and provide adequate funding for our schools.”

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Laura Murphy released the statement below after the Illinois Senate voted to override Governor Rauner’s veto of the bipartisan budget proposal that passed the Senate earlier in the day.

“For over two years Governor Rauner’s refusal to participate in budget discussions and his insistence on tying non-budget items to the budget continues to put the very future of our state at risk. Centers that serve seniors and those with disabilities have closed, colleges and universities are on the threshold of losing accreditation and schools may not open this fall.

“Today’s veto threatens to put the state into junk bond status, which will ultimately cost taxpayers millions more in the long run and prevent the stability new businesses need to expand in our state. This is absolutely unacceptable. I stood up for middle-class families who have shouldered the burden of this impasse.  

“I applaud the group of lawmakers, both democrats and many republicans, who have chosen to buck the governor and provide stability for the future of our state so we can finally start to move forward on sorely needed reforms.”

###

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Laura Murphy released the statement below after a budget deal passed the Senate to put an end to the over two-year budget impasse.

“Today, the Senate voted for a balanced, bipartisan budget to put an end to the impasse that has threatened the future of our state.

“This budget will finally stop the financial bleeding that has cost the state of Illinois over $11 million a day, threatened to put Illinois in junk bond status, eliminated services for seniors and those with disabilities and threatened schools from opening on time. The lack of a budget prevented job growth and job creators from locating in Illinois.

“This is a budget that ensures schools open on time and road work continues. It protects middle class jobs from being eliminated and reinstates MAP grants for college and university students.

“I encourage the governor to immediately sign our proposal to prevent our state from plummeting to junk bond status and further destroying our state.”

###

SPRINGFIELD- The Illinois Department of Transportation recently announced nearly 700 roadwork projects, including much of the construction on the Kennedy Expressway, will halt after June 30 due to the ongoing state budget impasse.

“Prolonging construction on the Kennedy Expressway, one of the busiest in the entire country, makes our roads more dangerous and increases the daily commute time of thousands of people across the Northwest Suburbs,” said State Sen. Laura Murphy, a Des Plaines Democrat.

IDOT also estimated the construction delay could put up to 25,000 people out of work.

“The so-called pro-businesses governor should realize laying off thousands of workers and creating barriers for others to commute to work every day will have a long-term negative impact on our state’s economy and does nothing to encourage job creators to come to Illinois,” Murphy said. “This is yet another example of how Gov. Rauner’s failure to negotiate a balanced budget is having a real impact on the lives of everyday Illinoisans.”

While the state continues to collect the tax dollars to pay for these projects through the gas tax, the money cannot be spent without a state budget.

Last month, the Senate voted to authorize the nearly $2.3 billion in spending to allow these projects to continue. Sen. Murphy supported the proposal.

###