SPRINGFIELD (Feb. 17, 2016) – Today, Gov. Bruce Rauner will deliver his second annual speech on Illinois’ budget. In his Budget Address, the governor is expected to discuss where the state’s budget negotiations stand for the current fiscal year as well as outline a spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year.

Budget and economic experts from the nonpartisan Illinois Policy Institute are available for interviews in Chicago and Springfield.

Experts available: 

In Springfield: 

• Kristina Rasmussen, executive vice president, Illinois Policy Institute

In Chicago: 

• Ted Dabrowski, vice president of policy, Illinois Policy Institute
• Michael Lucci, vice president of policy, Illinois Policy Institute
• Diana Rickert, vice president of communications, Illinois Policy Institute

Background information on Illinois’ budget and economy:

• Illinois has not had a state budget since July 1, 2015.
• Illinois has not had a balanced state budget in more than a decade.
• Illinois is constitutionally required to have a balanced state budget. However, due to accounting and financial loopholes, elected officials have passed unbalanced budgets for years.
• Illinois has approximately $10 billion in unpaid bills.
• In 2011, Illinois passed a 67 percent income tax increase to pay down debt and help fix the state’s pension problems. The state brought in more than $31 billion in additional revenue, however the pension liability and debt grew.
• Between 2011 and 2013, Illinois lost more than $10 billion in taxable income to people moving out of the state. In 2015, Illinois lost one person to another state every 5 minutes.

Budget and policy experts are also available via phone and Skype.

For bookings or interviews: Nathaniel Hamilton or Diana Rickert (312) 607-4977