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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The State of Illinois faces an unprecedented
3 budget and fiscal crisis that jeopardizes the operation of
4 State government and the proper delivery of State services; and
 
5     WHEREAS, The Commission on Government Forecasting and
6 Accountability (COGFA) indicated on February 5, 2009 that the
7 revenue shortfall for the current fiscal year will be no less
8 than $2.4 billion; and
 
9     WHEREAS, The current Fiscal Year 2009 estimated revenue
10 shortfall and budget deficit are due to many factors
11 predominantly related to the Nation's economic conditions; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Regardless of the current fiscal condition of the
13 State, State government is responsible for continuing to
14 provide health care services necessary to maintain the
15 well-being of every Illinois citizen; and
 
16     WHEREAS, Regardless of the current fiscal condition of the
17 State, State government is responsible for continuing to
18 provide sustainable funding to support the public education
19 system; and
 
20     WHEREAS, The State's Fiscal Year 2010 required pension

 

 

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1 contribution totals $4.1 billion; and
 
2     WHEREAS, The Illinois Comptroller has identified that, at
3 the end of Fiscal Year 2009, the State of Illinois will have a
4 backlog of bills totaling $4.5 billion; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Regardless of the current fiscal condition of the
6 State, State government has the responsibility of paying its
7 bills on time and identifying unnecessary spending; therefore,
8 be it
 
9     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
10 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that a Senate Committee on
11 Deficit Reduction is created and charged with the task of
12 studying all aspects of the estimated budget deficit and
13 revenue shortfall, including, but not limited to: the fiscal
14 costs associated with education, healthcare, pensions, and the
15 operation of State government and departments within State
16 government, as well as all revenue sources that support State
17 government; and be it further
 
18     RESOLVED, That the Committee shall be made up of 10
19 members: 5 shall be appointed by the President of the Senate
20 and 5 shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;
21 and be it further
 

 

 

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1     RESOLVED, That the Committee shall have Co-Chairpersons,
2 one appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed
3 by the Minority Leader of the Senate; Co-Chairpersons shall not
4 be of the same caucus and shall serve at the pleasure of the
5 caucus leader making the appointment; and be it further
 
6     RESOLVED, That meetings of the Committee shall be posted
7 and open to the public in accordance with Senate Rules; and be
8 it further
 
9     RESOLVED, That the Committee may call upon Constitutional
10 Officers, the Governor's Office of Management and Budget, the
11 Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, State
12 Pensions Systems, representatives of public employees,
13 advocates, and any additional agencies or groups as the
14 Committee sees fit in order to hear testimony and gather
15 details and information relating to the purposes of the
16 Committee; and be it further
 
17     RESOLVED, That the Committee shall be appointed no later
18 than 1 week after the adoption of this resolution, and the
19 Committee shall submit a report no later than March 25, 2009 to
20 the President of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the
21 Senate.