SR0101

LRB096 11704 HLH 22407 r






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 
 


 






SR0101
- 2 -
LRB096 11704 HLH 22407 r




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

 
 


 






SR0101
- 3 -
LRB096 11704 HLH 22407 r




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.