Senator Bill Brady welcomes a group of nursing students from Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) in Bloomington to the Capitol March 24. Accompanying the students was Dr. Victoria Folse, Director and Associate Professor of IWU’s School of Nursing. Senator Brady is an IWU graduate.

KUDOS

Kudos to all the central Illinois individuals and groups that come to the State Capitol and talk with me and other state officials about the issues important to you!

Representatives for the Illinois State University Center for Renewable Energy came to the Capitol March 17 for Illinois R&D Day, which was sponsored by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Thanks to Marissa McCord, ISU’s Associate Director for Development and Governmental Relations; Matt Aldeman, Technical Assistant for the Center for Renewable Energy; and Janet Niezgoda, Coordinator for the Center for Renewable Energy, for taking the time to meet with me.

Senator Bill Brady welcomes representatives for the Illinois State University Center for Renewable Energy to the Capitol March 17 for Illinois R&D Day, sponsored by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Seen here are (from left) Marissa McCord, ISU’s Associate Director for Development and Governmental Relations; Senator Brady; Matt Aldeman, Technical Assistant for the Center for Renewable Energy; and Janet Niezgoda, Coordinator for the Center for Renewable Energy.

KUDOS

Kudos to Francesca Pelusi of Bloomington for being named one of the top youth volunteers in Illinois for 2010, in the 15th annual Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

Created in 1995 by Prudential Financing in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the awards emphasize the importance of service to others and encourage young Americans to contribute to their communities.

DEFICIT SPENDING, MORE BORROWING, IGNORING UNPAID BILLS

On March 10, Governor Pat Quinn presented lawmakers with a budget plan for next year that relies on spending nearly $5 billion more than expected state revenues, borrowing to make up the difference, and ignoring billions more in unpaid bills.

The Governor is calling for $32.1 billion in general funds spending – basically, the state’s operating budget – but is only estimating general funds revenues of $27.4 billion – a budget hole of $4.7 billion.

In addition, Governor Quinn’s budget plan does nothing to address the state’s $6 billion backlog of unpaid bills, opting to push them into the next budget year.