SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) today passed a measure through the Senate State Government and Veterans’ Affairs Committee that will bring much needed transparency and accountability to the state budgeting process.

The proposal, Senate Bill 2585, requires the governor’s budget office to annually produce a report containing a four-year budget forecast that also lays out detailed solutions to solve any predicted budgetary shortfalls. The report also must be posted online so it is available to the general public.

“Just like Illinois families who plan annual household budgets and are forced to find solutions when money gets tight, state officials will now be required to craft a solution to deal with potential budgetary shortfalls years in advance,” Murphy said.

The legislation was brought to Murphy by the Budgeting for Results Commission, which makes annual recommendations to the governor and General Assembly on how to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in state government, as well as increasing financial accountability and transparency.  

Murphy’s proposal passed the committee with a bipartisan vote of 7-1and heads to the Senate Floor.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) released the statement below after the Senate passed Senate Bill 2046, which invests in community colleges, universities and services for those living with developmental disabilities.

“Today, we again gave the governor an opportunity to stand by his repeated promises to invest in a competitive, compassionate Illinois. This proposal prevents further layoffs at community colleges like Harper College, and provides stability for families who depend on state services to care for their loved ones living with disabilities like autism and epilepsy.

“In my district alone, 1,900 students are unsure if they will be able to continue school without access to MAP grants. Dozens of families who depend on services to help their loved ones with autism and epilepsy don’t know how much longer the programs they depend on will last without funding.

“Governor Rauner can end this uncertainty by immediately signing this proposal to provide much-needed stability for these families and for our entire state.”

SPRINGFIELD – Many businesses offer discounts to veterans to thank them for their service to our country. Unfortunately, occasionally non-veterans will pose as military members to try to take advantage of these discounts.

To cut down on people falsely impersonating veterans, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) passed legislation through the Illinois Senate today to make it a petty offense to falsely impersonate a veteran. The proposal, Senate Bill 2167, was also her first bill.

“Veterans have given so much for our country we need to make sure their sacrifices are not taken advantage of by people trying to scam the system for their own financial gain,” Murphy said.

If the proposal is signed into law, Illinois will join several other states including Alabama, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to have similar “Stolen Valor” laws.

Murphy’s legislation passed the Senate with an overwhelming bipartisan vote and will now head to the Illinois House.

SPRINGFIELD— In response to news that suburban community colleges have cut staff and may cut more in the coming months, State Sens. Melinda Bush, Julie Morrison and Laura Murphy called on the governor to swiftly end the year-long budget impasse and approve a state spending plan.

“The time for arguing over ideological differences is over,” said Bush, D-Grayslake. “College of Lake County exists to provide affordable, accessible higher education to students who we want to become tomorrow’s employees. Governor: Show us you want a business-friendly state and pass a balanced budget.”

College of Lake County has cut 20 positions. Speaking Thursday, President Jerry Weber told reporters the school could need to cut as many as 40 more employees and reduce programs and services if the $8 million the state owes the college is not approved by the end of June. The college has dipped into reserve funds to cover the unreleased funds, as well as $800,000 in promised Monetary Award Program grants to students that have also not been released.

“Businesses makes decisions on where to locate and expand their operations based on the availability of highly trained workers,” said Morrison, D-Deerfield. “The longer this impasse continues, the more long-term damage we are inflicting on our educational facilities and our economy.”

William Rainey Harper College in Palatine has also been affected by the ongoing budget impasse. The college has informed 19 full-time employees and 10 part-time employees they will be laid off and is eliminating 62 full-time and part-time positions through other means.

“With the sky-rocketing costs of universities, community colleges like Harper are an affordable option for many students to continue their education after high school. Eliminating these funds has already hurt the long-term job market in Illinois,” said Murphy, D-Des Plaines. “If the governor truly wanted to be a pro-business governor, he would restore the funds he has eliminated to give students the opportunity to go to college and achieve the American dream.”

The General Assembly has repeatedly approved various spending plans, including individual measures to fund MAP grants, colleges and universities, since the budget process in 2015. All have met with vetoes by Gov. Bruce Rauner.

The General Assembly reconvenes next week.