Enough is Enough!

For over two years, Illinois was without a budget, and millions of residents of all ages suffered through the lack of depleted programs and services.

We have a fiscal year 2018 budget. But we are not out of the woods yet! Illinois still has a long way to go until our state finances are restored, service providers are paid, vulnerable citizens who need services are cared for, and the state’s debt burden is not hanging over everyone’s head.

We must continue urging our elected officials to fix these issues and not let the state remain in disarray.

Enough is Enough! AARP Illinois demands action from Illinois politicians. Permanent solutions must be implemented that restore Illinois’ fiscal health, provide the services our population – especially vulnerable Illinoisans – need, and ensure a bright future for our children and grandchildren.

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Real stories

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Tim Killeen:

There's no getting away from the damage.

"There's no getting away from the damage," says Tim Killeen, President of the University of Illinois.

Margo McDermed:

In the three years that I've been there ... we have not worked on a budget.

"In the three years that I've been there ... we have not worked on a budget," reflected Rep. McDermed, who represents Illinois' 37th House District.

Reggie Phillips:

That's a hard equation to get to.

"When State Representatives and legislators, all of us, decide it's more important to do the job for our districts than to get reelected, and take the politics out of it...that's a hard equation to get to, though," opined State Rep. Reggie Phillips, who hails from Illinois' 110th House District.

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nearly $1B

Amount owed in interest fees on bills over 90 days late

$6.83B

Backlog of unpaid bills exceeds $6.75 billion

$142B

Illinois' long-term debt; Worst in nation by $80B

$130B

Unfunded public pension obligations have reached $130 billion

News

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05.16.2018
10
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WATCH-LISTEN: Seeking Solutions on State’s Fiscal Health

Watch the first Illinois Issues Forum from Springfield. Our 2018 election coverage starts discussing the fiscal health of Illinois. This forum is produced and hosted by NPR Illinois with support provided by AARP Illinois.

05.11.2018
2
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State Journal-Register: Former Gov. Edgar says budget more ‘doable’ this year

Edgar, speaking on a panel hosted by AARP Illinois and NPR Illinois in Springfield, said a budget is “much more doable” this year than last, even as lawmakers continue to bicker over things like establishing a common revenue estimate and Gov. Bruc...

05.10.2018
14
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Bloomberg news: Every Illinoisan Owes $11,000 for Pensions With No Fix in Sight

Illinois's annual pension payment projected to swell in coming decades

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AARP Original

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05.16.2018
10
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WATCH-LISTEN: Seeking Solutions on State’s Fiscal Health

05.11.2018
2
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State Journal-Register: Former Gov. Edgar says budget more ‘doable’ this year

01.30.2018
37
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AARP turns up heat on Illinois lawmakers

“Illinoisans are frustrated with the partisan bickering and gridlock over the last few years.

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Why do we need Enough is Enough?: Illinois was without a balanced state budget for too long, and the impact was harshly felt across the state: from college students to working families and their children and from older residents to social service providers – every population group was been affected by depleted services and programs.
How do people in Illinois feel about the mess?: Illinoisans of all backgrounds in every corner, angry over the lack of a balanced state budget, took action to demand results from the Governor and the Illinois General Assembly. We do have a budget now, but we’re not out of the woods yet.
How big is the problem?: Even with a budget, Illinois is still far away from healthy finances that make life better for all its citizens. Residents are paying the highest property taxes in the nation, and paying increasing local and state fees, higher rates for utilities while struggling with an increasing cost of living. Additionally, many lost their jobs as businesses and social service agencies closed their doors or reduced their hours and became unable to further extend the credit used to cover the state’s unpaid bills.

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