That there is unanimity over the need for a capital improvement plan is pretty certain.
Glenn Poshard, president of Southern Illinois University and a former Democratic congressman, has been traveling the state promoting the need for Gov. Rod Blagojevich's Illinois Works program. The governor has also enlisted former Republican congressman Dennis Hastert to push his cause.
The governor's $25 billion plan calls for $4.9 billion for schools, including higher education; $14.4 billion for roads and bridges; $3.2 billion for public transit, passenger rail and airports; $1.1 billion for economic development and housing; and $600 million for improved and expanded state facilities.
The Republicans, too, have been touting a capital improvement plan that they say would be an opportunity to help shore up the softening economy. Illinois House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, has been saying Illinois has neglected its infrastructure, especially roads and bridges, for nine years, and structurally dangerous bridges need to be replaced. Republicans are also pounding the message that as much as $4 billion in federal funding is in jeopardy because of inaction by the state.
After this, the factions splinter. And the splintering is not exactly along party lines.
The governor is steadfast in opposing any increase in the states sales or income tax rates to pay for it. And with a weakening economy, there probably is not going to be a lot of people lining up to oppose Blagojevich on that point. Same goes for any increase in taxes on business -- something Blagojevich could probably embrace but would face fierce opposition from the General Assembly.
There has been talk of increasing the sales tax on gasoline, which flies in the face of a movement to decrease the rate, at least as a temporary measure to provide relief to motorists. Also, the talk of selling the state lottery should end. It would be a stupid and shortsighted decision.
So where do you find money in a state that is hemorrhaging red ink and is woefully late paying its bills?
We return to the idea of an expansion of gambling.
Floating around still is a plan from House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, suggesting the state add three casinos, including one owned by the city of Chicago, adding slot machines at horse racing tracks and allowing existing casinos to expand the number of gambling positions they offer. At the same time, Madigan proposed legislation that would significantly increase the state's oversight of gambling operations.
There is a problem relying on gambling revenues because they aren't as reliable as taxes, and there is a lot of competition for gambling dollars. Still, it's hard to imagine a Chicago casino wouldn't be successful.
While we aren't wild about the expansion of gambling in Illinois, it is the one avenue available that would accomplish the goal of creating more money for the state without raising taxes. If Illinois approves a capital plan this year -- and doing so is an absolute necessity -- the big compromise should be about embracing gambling as a way to fund it.
To see more of Herald & Review, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.herald-review.com Copyright (c) 2008, Herald & Review, Decatur, Ill. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
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