Springfield – State Senator Dan Rutherford voiced his concerns about the Governor’s plan to mortgage the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago.
“Mortgaging the Thompson Center is extremely inappropriate. It gives us cash today, but we have to pay it back later,” said Rutherford. “He wants to mortgage the state building and add a loan payment to the State budget for the next 10 years. This is just another scheme to bring quick cash to the State. What we need are long-term solutions that actually fix our fiscal problems. Mortgaging the Thompson Center is just another band-aid to cover up the real problems.”
Still, Rutherford sees some possibility in the Governor’s plans. Conceptually, Rutherford agrees with the plan to consolidate state agencies and offer early retirement, but he wants to see more details.
“Consolidation of state agencies is an excellent idea, but I want to see more details,” Rutherford said. “I am in favor of streamlining government as long as it operates more efficiently. I don’t want to see needed services falling through the cracks.”
Rutherford also voiced some concerns over the Governor’s flip flop on early retirement. “Last year, the Governor’s Office voiced concerns about the early retirement proposal,” Rutherford said. “While I agree with his plan to again offer early retirement, I want to know what made him change his mind. Why is he offering this now after criticizing the mass exodus last year?”
