Pantagraph.com | News | Governor cuts $463 million from budget

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Government Muppet wrote on Aug 24, 2007 2:54 PM:

" I agree 100% with making cuts but what in the **** is he doing to work with both parties to better this state. Nothing is getting better for the average person. Something has gone very astray in this nations ability to reason and make clear well thought out decisions that will better the way of life for everyone. The hope for a better world is gone, as now we struggle just to get by and survive the sharks who do nothing but take take take take, yet give nothing in return, but absolute control and loss of personal choice and freedom and safety. "

To all the naysayers.. wrote on Aug 24, 2007 12:49 PM:

" The governor is doing a great job given what he has. Look at the state he has to run. If you don't like him, start a petition to get rid of him. Duh. "

Wake up Democrats! wrote on Aug 24, 2007 11:18 AM:

" What GWBush is doing to open the Peoples' eyes to the evils of the Republican Party, Rod is doing to open the Peoples' eyes to the evils of the Democratic Party. And that can't be bad. Maybe someday we'll throw off the yoke of BOTH parties (via, a constitutional amendment to ban their participation in elections) and be able to elect members from what are now merely third parties. "

just wait... wrote on Aug 24, 2007 10:39 AM:

" well, for all of you who voted for a Democrate and got him reelected. Hope you all are happy with him. If you all think this is bad, wait until a Democrate is elected president. Fun times a head. I DID NOT "

We're All Disposable wrote on Aug 24, 2007 8:37 AM:

" Speaking of where is the news coverage....Here's a big one on the national level: If I were to inform you, that the former Ex-head of the inhuman and despicable Soviet secret service 'KGB', General Yevgeni Primakov, as well as Markus Wolfe, the ex-boss of the ''STASI'', the equally feared former East German ''State Security Police'' have been hired by the United States Gov't for the lawless and already feared secret service "HOMELAND Security", as experts to reinforce the control in the US of all it's citizens: would that make you sleep badly ? Im sorry to wreck your night's rest, but it seems that it just happened. Why isn't this in the news??? Google REX84, CFAR, SPP, Bilderberg, Amero, North American Union, Alex Jones, Ron Paul, PDD 51, terrorstorm, police state, NACSCO!!! Buy Guns, Food, and Gold! Long live the republic. "

We're All Disposable wrote on Aug 24, 2007 8:34 AM:

" I think your missing the big point...there is no difference between a democrat and republican....they are all on the same bribery pay roll. Politics is the biggest play in history, the illusion of choice. One party gets in and robs/loots. Americans think oh that party was bad lets put the other one in...so now it is their turn to rob and loot. Back and forth we go, thinking we've done great to vote one party out when really they are all just laughing to the bank while our constitution and bill of rights had been destroyed. WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP Google REX84, CFAR, SPP, Bilderberg, Amero, North American Union, Alex Jones, Ron Paul, PDD 51, terrorstorm, police state, NACSCO!!! Buy Guns, Food, and Gold! Long live the republic. "

To: Government Muppets wrote on Aug 24, 2007 7:57 AM:

" I envy you for that, I try and try but it seems like I may be trapped in Illinois forever... "

TO: It's about time. wrote on Aug 24, 2007 7:54 AM:

" If he had just cut 463 million, I would have been happy as well about the cost savings but there is more to it. He only cut that 463 million so he could illegally spend 500 million on his healthcare program that no-one wants. He has the legal right to use a line item veto to CUT things out as long as the legislature then has a chance to vote on it (which Emil is illegally not letting them do). He does not have the right to just add things as he sees fit, especially things like his healthcare plan that was soundly defeated by the house and senate. "

2-man government wrote on Aug 24, 2007 7:45 AM:

" I'm not about to grieve over the $463 million our 2-man government slashed from the budget- another few hundred million could probably have been slashed. But their plan to spend this taxpayer money on a healthcare plan rejected by the rest of the Legislature is surely not only UNCONSTITUTIONAL, it's SINISTER beyond belief! "

Jim wrote on Aug 24, 2007 6:38 AM:

" and nothing to solve the ruinous pension deficit crises that treatens to swallow us whole? "

sic &tired of being sic & tired wrote on Aug 24, 2007 6:22 AM:

" Which party wants to claim this slug, neither.Slick Willie almost got impeached for well we all know what for. Rod is just a thief like most CHITOWN govenors.One going to prison and who knows about Rod. "

Dead Eye Dick wrote on Aug 24, 2007 5:28 AM:

" Personally, I'm happy he cut $20,000 for a program to assist violated women. And put the money in his own pocket. Now, we'll all get a taste of what it feels like to be violated. "

to "rod" wrote on Aug 24, 2007 4:44 AM:

" Then who did you vote for? If you voted for Russ Whitney then, YES you did vote for Blago. "

Worthless liberal wrote on Aug 23, 2007 10:37 PM:

" Rod is just like every democrat. He is a liar and continues his path of destruction across this state. Hasnt this state sustained enough of the democrats crap? Now we have to put up with this loser liberal for another 3 years?? I say Illinois citizens demand a recall like California did to Gray Davis. Get this left wing nut job out of office. "

Government Muppets wrote on Aug 23, 2007 10:11 PM:

" Yep, I moved outta Illinois 06/06 for these very reasons.... "

to Democrat wrote on Aug 23, 2007 9:57 PM:

" Don't call him a Republican. We didn't vote for him and we don't want him. "

Democrat wrote on Aug 23, 2007 8:51 PM:

" This is a sad day for Democrats in Illinois. Democrats are suppose to help those who can't help themselves...rape victims, the disabled, small towns. Instead our bogus representative from CHICAGO has decided to turn his head on those who need him and give himself a $20,000 raise. Sounds like a Rod is really a Republican in Democratic clothing! "

Rod wrote on Aug 23, 2007 8:08 PM:

" is the biggest idiot in the history of Illinois governors. Bar none. I'm usually a democrat but I wasn't so stupid as to vote for him. Now all those who did can suffer for it. "

heyworth wrote on Aug 23, 2007 7:51 PM:

" Illinois is an absolute joke. My house is for sale and I, as well as my family, are going back to Wisconsin "

As for His Government . . . wrote on Aug 23, 2007 6:52 PM:

" health plan . . . Canada has one in place and do you know that it takes months to see a doctor, and a poorly qualify one to boot. All the good doctors from there came to the US to practice. It appears they wanted more money, more than the Canadian government would offer. I do not believe in pork projects and should be concentrated within their respective county or city. I do not believe this governor is a very effective leader also. I know this health care plan will flop with much success . . .move over dummycrats . . . here comes the republicans. "

AJ wrote on Aug 23, 2007 6:46 PM:

" He is an absolute joke of a leader. He's just like most from Chicago...an overpaid idiot. "

Sik-o-Dems wrote on Aug 23, 2007 6:23 PM:

" I'm sure glad we have a man like Guv. Blowdryer who can decide what we need and what is pork. Otherwise , we'd all be living in a socialist place like Cuba! Governor Fidel, I mean Blago, is really looking out for all of us taxpayers. I guess he's having guilt trips about his make-up bill and daily commute charges. What a deal! Not to mention the pay raise he gave himself and his fellow Democrats in our state government. "

I support Gov. Rod wrote on Aug 23, 2007 6:00 PM:

" Everyone in this state should be thankful that Rod is our Gov. Thanks Rod! "

wow wrote on Aug 23, 2007 5:51 PM:

" So what happens to all these illegals, when they can't use their free health care because, the ambulance broke down en route to the hospital? "

To Pet project wrote on Aug 23, 2007 5:47 PM:

" What about his hair? "

Disgusting man wrote on Aug 23, 2007 5:46 PM:

" That is absolutely disgusting! "

Disabled? wrote on Aug 23, 2007 5:16 PM:

" He cut programs for the disabled in Will and Grundy counties. But why not cut programs for the most disabled of all: our lawmakers? Minimal work, few results, and they get a raise? It's time to amend the state constitution: no raises other than cost of living for lawmakers and governor unless the citizens of Illinois approve. "

Budget cuts.... wrote on Aug 23, 2007 5:05 PM:

" How about cutting out the pay raises!!! They aren't needed. The rest of us aren't seeing a 10% let alone 1% pay raise. "

Woodford Pundit wrote on Aug 23, 2007 4:31 PM:

" These guys are a piece of work, aren't they? I for one am glad for the cuts - I just wish the money wasn't going to be spent anyway on dubious health care initiatives - does everyone know that you don't have to prove state residency (let alone U.S. citizenship) for "All Kids". This will be more of the same. St. Louis residents and illegals just LOVE Illinois. Welcome to the Illinois Democrat controlled government. "

Congrats wrote on Aug 23, 2007 4:26 PM:

" It looks as though illegals and the poor will now have health insurance thanks to Blago. Thank you dems. "

To:Hope Your Happy wrote on Aug 23, 2007 4:19 PM:

" Hope your happy with Bush. You sound like the typical GOP voter that refuses to vote for the best candidate. I voted for Blejagovic...and can say I am ashamed of it...and it won't happen again. But...I bet you wouldn't admit the same for Bush! "

Illinois voter wrote on Aug 23, 2007 4:06 PM:

" I will admit my mistakes. I voted for this clown the first time around. However, seeing what he did during his first term made me realize he is no different than Ryan was. Thats why I did not vote for him the 2nd time around. An idiot is someone who continues to do the same thing expecting different results. God wiling, the rest of you will remember all of this in 2010. My vote for Judy Topinka last year was not a vote "for" her, it was a vote AGAINST Chicagovich. I really didn't like Topinka either but, I knew she had the best chance to beat Governor Hitler. "

Hope your happy!! wrote on Aug 23, 2007 4:03 PM:

" All of you Democrates and people that voted green (yes you took out the only candidate that really could have beaten him). All of you contributed towards all of this, thanks!!!! I am beginning to wonder if some people just should not have the right to vote. Where is all of the cheering for Blago now, right before last election there were tons of you who could not wait to express his phrase. Where are you now??? Hopefully not in need of a fire dept, ambulance service, rape center or some other pesky little pet project like that!! "

Amazed wrote on Aug 23, 2007 3:58 PM:

" He's a complete waste and has done nothing to help this state! Worthless just like the rest of the governors, with the exception of Jim Edgar. Wish someone could prove that what he did was unconstitutional and that he could get hauled off to prison! "

sheesh wrote on Aug 23, 2007 3:29 PM:

" Man, I hope there's a good candidate next year. I went green last year - Blagojevich is sucking more and more, but Topinka seemed like she'd be just as bad. All I'm asking for is someone decent... "

Chelly wrote on Aug 23, 2007 3:03 PM:

" I agree nice their raises werent touched. Hopefully decided not to cut all the progress made for people with developmental disabilities in this state. He wonders why those parents leave its because once you get out of EI parents arent always able to afford services and many providers wont accept ALL KIDS due to LACK OF TIMELY PAYMENT. Hope he will be one others can call when their Dr wont accept the "universal" health insurance he is proposing. "

Pork? Bull! wrote on Aug 23, 2007 2:50 PM:

" This guy's definition of pork is bull! Pork is this pay increase for people that don't need it at the expense of those that really need it. I hope those who voted for this clown and those who support him are feeling large amounts of guilt. He's doing this because he fed a lot of bull to people who believed him and voted for him. This guy/clown shouldn't even be in charge of Cub Scouts let alone a state. "

Hedly wrote on Aug 23, 2007 2:46 PM:

" Give the Governor a Harump! "

Greg G. wrote on Aug 23, 2007 2:43 PM:

" It's time to impeach this Gov. for gross malfeasance of office! Who in the State House has the guts to start the process!! ??? "

The Happy Cynic wrote on Aug 23, 2007 2:41 PM:

" I would highly suggest reading the Tribune or Sun-Times articles on this story. As usual with stories concerning our beloved governor, the Pantagraph has chosen to print a story by Kurt Erickson. Mr. Erickson obviously has an axe to grind and has thus put this decision in the worst possible light by selectively highlighting what is to be cut and telling us almost nothing about what will take its place. The other two news sources do a much better job of giving both sides of the story. I'm not saying I personally approve of every aspect of this decision on Blago's part, but as consumers of news we do ourselves a disservice by getting all of our information on a story like this from a hack journalist like Mr. Erickson. Shame on you, Pantagraph. Where’s your journalistic integrity? Or your duty to fully inform the public? "

Winthrop wrote on Aug 23, 2007 2:34 PM:

" Someone please define "pork". If it is a project that is important to your community and for years your community has paid into the system, yet have received nothing in return, is a funded project pork or is it well-deserved? It's really easy to be an arm-chair quarterback and call a project pork, but in reality many of the roads you drive on, the water you drink and the organic matter you flush down the sewer couldn't happen without what some of you call "pork". If you don't like what the government is spending money on, if you don't like the priorities, let your voice be heard. If enough of you do it, you WILL be heard. If you don't , quit your "oinking". "

barnyard wrote on Aug 23, 2007 2:33 PM:

" Sounds like the good old BAIT&SWITCH by the GOV and his PUPPET SCHEMING EMIL. Wonder what strings he is pulling to control Emil. As you can't TRUST the GOV'S credibility. All the non-union state workers hope you like it when told that in this budget there is no money for your pay raises or you get 2% and the GOV, House &Senate receive 13.6% . Time for a Total Recall. "

Gov. William J. LePetomaine wrote on Aug 23, 2007 2:30 PM:

" This governor is a guy after my own heart! Refuse to fund other people's phony-baloney projects so that he can fund his own phony-baloney projects! Brilliant! He deserves a big, rousing "Harrumph!" "

Joe wrote on Aug 23, 2007 2:14 PM:

" How big of a raise is this guy getting...I don't know what his salary is but even if it is $200,000 then he is set to get a 10% raise this year. Not sure about you but I haven't seen a 10% raise in a long time. "

Good for us, good for Illinois wrote on Aug 23, 2007 2:12 PM:

" He's obviously not running again. Good for us, good for Illinois. "

Fire Him wrote on Aug 23, 2007 2:11 PM:

" Let's hand all of them their pink slip in the next election. Say NO to this jokers politics. I am a democrat that is fed up with this type of politics. I can't wait for the next election. "

No government wrote on Aug 23, 2007 2:10 PM:

" Yes and to provide low quality state run health insurance. Everyone buckle up, this is the first step towards total universal coverage by our state. God save us! "

Jim wrote on Aug 23, 2007 2:03 PM:

" Did he add anything back in? If not, it sounds like a good deal to have a budget that is a half a billion less than the legislature wanted "

12-Foot Midget wrote on Aug 23, 2007 2:01 PM:

" $20K cut from a rape crisis program, $20K increase in pay for the governor. Perhaps Iroquois county women that are raped can call the governor's office for help. I might suggest that they try him in Chicago. "

how bout us wrote on Aug 23, 2007 2:00 PM:

" How about more afforable health care for those of us who are not poor but not wealthy, seems the middle class people have less and less children because their jobs pay nothing for family health care, BUT if I quit my full time job, and stay home and have kids they will get health care? Just as back wards as everything else! "

Thats Nice!! wrote on Aug 23, 2007 1:46 PM:

" Cut funding for disabled persons, schools, fire departments and ambulances but do not touch the pay increases you don't deserve. How nice of you to think of others first. NOT. "

JD wrote on Aug 23, 2007 1:39 PM:

" It seems that one of the biggest pieces of pork was the raises given to all the politicians who, to be totally honest, have failed the people of Illinois. It shows you that only in politics can incompetence be rewarded with real money, when in reality a person would be fired for such performance. "

Just A Guy wrote on Aug 23, 2007 1:38 PM:

" So, the governor cuts the money from one group of pork, but spends it on another? Why couldn't he just leave well enough alone, and just sign the budget, instead of making sure his pet project gets through? Hopefully he is against the Constitution and everything he did was rejected. "

barnyard wrote on Aug 23, 2007 1:34 PM:

" Well the Gov's Executive Authority has once again found the pockets of the taxpayers of this state. But wait there's more. He doesn't cut the PORK of the built in pay raises that he will receive or Emil, and the gang. We don't need managed health care, the state can't even manage public housing, public school or anything correctly so why would we want to take a chance with our health. Just another form of Blado trying to show he has power. "

Clinton Mom wrote on Aug 23, 2007 1:32 PM:

" Maybe some of this pork needed to be cut but Gov Rod and emil is playing the "Its my ball and I am taking it home" game. I hope that the house and senate will band together and veto this. I think that the senate can find a way to step over Jones. I hope they do it. "

Pet project huh? wrote on Aug 23, 2007 1:06 PM:

" Did he cut out his jaunts by plane to Springfield? How about his make up? How about the pay raise they took? Hmmmm...probably none of the above was cut, he needs to look beautiful, Ha Ha, that can't happen. He has that Wayne Newton look going on, Viva Las Vegas, Mr.Rod. What will be your next act? Pardoning Ryan? Now you've cut the pork, I'll be you and your buddies kept the butt though. "

It's about time. wrote on Aug 23, 2007 12:59 PM:

" Glad to see he sent back 463 million in pork barrel spending. "

removal of things that we can't afford wrote on Aug 23, 2007 12:32 PM:

" amazing his raise was untouched. "

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