How would you balance the state's $13 billion budget gap, Gov. Quinn wants to know
Gov. Quinn wants to know how you would close the state's $13.5 billion fiscal year 2011 budget gap.
Yesterday, the governor unveiled a new web site asking citizens for ideas on where to make budget cuts to close the deficit. He also outlined $2 billion in proposed fiscal year 2011 cuts, including $922 billion from K-12 education, $400 million from public universities and colleges, $400 million from social services, and $69 million from public safety.
That still leaves an $11.5 billion general fund budget gap -- about half the total general fund budget.
Now's your chance to weigh in on how lawmakers should fix the budget mess. Post your ideas here.
Before you start, here are a few state fiscal year 2010 spending numbers to consider:
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K-12 education - $7 billion
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Health care and human services*- $10 billion
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Public universities and colleges - $2 billion
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State police - $290 million
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General Assembly salaries and support - $80 million
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*includes departments of Health Care & Family Services, Aging, Children & Family Services, and Human Services (This includes programs like AllKids, Aid for Women and Children, and nursing home reimbursements for seniors.)