SPRINGFIELD – Over the course of a week, Illinois Senate committees asked more than a dozen of Governor Rauner’s cabinet directors to identify budget cuts to reduce the $5 billion budget hole proposed by the governor earlier this year.

At the end of the week, Rauner’s administration was unable to identify a single dollar in savings.

“The Rauner administration failed to provide the Senate any budget cuts nor did he provide his staff with any direction on cuts to help resolve this two-year budget impasse,” said Laura Murphy, a Des Plaines Democrat.

Previously, the Senate had constructed a budget and reform package containing a dozen proposals. After nearly half the proposal passed the Senate with bipartisan support, the governor threatened Republican members of the Senate with political retribution if they supported the remainder of the package, effectively killing the deal.

“Roughly $11 million is added to the budget deficit every day the state is without a budget,” Murphy said. “It’s past time for the governor to demonstrate some leadership and join us in negotiating a balanced budget that protects our most vulnerable citizens.”

SPRINGFIELD – The office of State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is working to help contact eligible Park Ridge homeowners in efforts to help them soundproof their home.  Senator Murphy’s office was recently provided over 100 letters to 28th District constituents in Park Ridge from the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) offering sound proofing that went unanswered.

The Residential Sound Insulation Program (RSIP) is a program instituted by the Federal Aviation Administration and the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission to help reduce aircraft noise coming into eligible homes by installing acoustical mitigation equipment at zero cost to the homeowners. Park Ridge homeowners are eligible under phase 17 of the Residential Sound Insulation Program.

“The Residential Sound Insulation Program (RSIP) is a preventative and cost-effective way to mitigate noise pollution from the effects of O’Hare.  I implore all eligible residents to take advantage of this public service program,” Murphy said.

Phase 17 closes very soon.  If you believe you have received a letter from the CDA outlining your eligibility for soundproofing, please contact the CDA program office at (773) 894-3626 no later than March 17 to begin the process of soundproofing your home.

State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued the statement below after the Senate failed to vote on the grand bargain bills after Governor Rauner interceded and derailed ongoing budget negotiations.

“After weeks of negotiation between the Senate president and the Republican leader, both of whom were negotiating in good faith, we were closer than ever before to a balanced budget that included significant reforms for taxpayers. Unfortunately, the governor interjected himself and threatened Republican members with political retribution if they supported the compromise.

“This package, while far from perfect, was a good first step toward a compromise that balances the budget, keeps colleges and universities open and provides vital services for seniors and those with disabilities.

“Democrats, including myself remain willing to negotiate a balanced budget that includes the reforms the governor has himself demanded, but the governor has once again failed to do his job.”

Currently, Illinois has the most local units of governments in the nation with over 7,000, running up an expensive tab for taxpayers.

Today, the Illinois Senate passed Senate Bill 3 to make it easier for local governments to consolidate or be eliminated completely and save taxpayers’ money. State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) supported the legislation.

The proposal passed the Senate with a vote of 43-14.

•    allows counties to dissolve local governments with governing boards appointed by the county (excluding water and fire protection districts)
•    allows townships to merge with adjacent townships
•    allows townships that share the same boundaries as a municipality to be dissolved by referendum
•    removes the current cap on square mileage of a township and other various barriers that prevent townships from consolidating  

“These thousands of layers of government duplicate services and cost taxpayers additional money every year,” Murphy said. “It’s past time for the state to remove these barriers and make it easier for local governments to consolidate. This legislation is the first step in that process.”