Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has wrapped up his state of the state speech. He touted his accomplishments over the past year, which include Medicaid reform, eliminating legislative scholarships, bringing high speed rail to Illinois, and closing 54 state facilities. The closures save taxpayers about 100-million dollars a year. Quinn called on lawmakers to boost the minimum wage to ten bucks an hour over the next four years. He also reiterated his calls to make tough decisions and deal with the hard issues. He called on lawmakers to pass a bill which legalizes gay marriage, one which bans assault weapons and high capacity magaines and he wants real pension reform by June 1st. He says there’s already a bill on the table that will make it happen. Senate Bill One combines a Senate-approved measure along with a bill that failed to get a vote in the House. Quinn reitertes that the pension crisis is costing taxpatyers 17-million dollars a day and forcing schools to eliminate vital programs for kids.
Local State Senator Darin LaHood with reaction to Quinn’s state of the state speech.
[audio:http://wrmj.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/State-of-the-State-Sen.-LaHood-2-6-13.mp3|titles=State of the State Sen. LaHood 2-6-13]