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Progress Illinois: Critics Slam Rauner’s Budget Over ‘Morally Reprehensible’ Cuts

By Ellyn Fortino

“Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s so-called “turnaround budget” does not call for increased taxes, but, instead, proposes significant cuts to higher education, Medicaid and other essential services as a means to tackle the state’s dire fiscal problems. During his first budget speech Wednesday before the Democrat-controlled state legislature, Rauner said “necessary, but difficult choices” are needed to combat a $111 billion pension crisis and $6 billion budget deficit in the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1. The state is also facing a $1.6 billion budget shortfall in the current fiscal year.” Read more here.