Illinois lawmakers wrestle with budget reality and delays
In Springfield, Senate Democrats trimmed more than 430 million dollars in added spending while backing long delayed construction projects for Southern Illinois University campuses. The piece notes a rare bipartisan mood, with leaders meeting, but warns of a large unfunded pension liability between 55 and 80 billion dollars. John Cullerton, Christine Radogno, Michael Madigan, and Tom Cross figure as key figures. Local impact includes Johnston City facing unpaid state bills and potential strains ahead. The column calls for public feedback.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Illinois General Assembly
Pat Quinn
Springfield
Senate Democrats
Quinn
Illinois
Southern Illinois University
House
Senate
John Cullerton
Chicago
Appropriations Committee
Michael Madigan
GOP
Tom Cross
Cullerton
Christine Radogno
Lemont
Johnston City
Lawrence Miall
The
Civic Federation
National Public Radio
Dave Luechtfeld
Rokanville
Rich Mitchell
Mitchell
Readers vent on concerts cops and coal protest
A letter to the editor rails at peace officers for alleged misconduct at a Sunset Concert in Carbondale, alleging curfewlike treatment and drink-kicking, then criticizes SIUC coal plant coverage. The writer defends plastic cups and questions sequestration, urging factual reporting and noting student-led coal plant protests.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Carbondale City
Shryock
Sunset
Thad
Protectors
SIUC
United States
Illinois
What are we paying for
Leonard Pitts Jr argues tax money sustains national services from education to safety and contends a moral obligation to support a social safety net. He cites James Verone’s crime as a result of systemic failures and defends government programs while criticizing anti-government rhetoric.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James Verone
Gastonia
N.C
Verone
Marx
Lenin
Aetna
Letters Policy For Local Views Published Here
Readers are invited to send signed letters up to 250 words on current issues via email. Include a telephone number for verification, which is not published. The editors may edit letters. libelous or personal attacks are not published. Contact Gary Metro or Mark Fitton at The Southern.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Thesouthern.com
Gary
Metro
Leonard Pitts JR
Miami Herald
Herald Plaza
Miami
Miamiherald
Leonard Pitts
Miamiherald.com
Officials contact numbers and representatives listing
The text lists contact details for U S Senators and U S Representatives. It includes Mark Kirk and John Shimkus with phone numbers and websites, plus State Senator David Luechtefeld and State Representatives Dan Reitz with additional numbers and email domains.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Dorothy
Joe Rol IN
Concert Deadline
Coal News
Heartbeat OF America
Carbondale
Murphysboro
de Soto
Williamson County
Voice of the
Southern Illinoisan PO
Thesouthern
Gary Metro
U.S
Mark Kirk
Kirk
Dick Durbin
Durbin
John Shimkus
House.gov
Shimkus
Jerry Costello
Costello
Gary Forby
David Luechtefeld
Sendavel
Midwest
Brandon Phelps
Repphelps
Gmail
Mike Bost
Mike
Bost
Hotmail
John Bradley
Dan Reitz
Repreitz
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