Governor Pat Quinn is scheduled to deliver his proposed budget for the 2013 fiscal year that begins July 1 in a noon speech before a joint session of the General Assembly. The Governor will be facing a lot of questions…questions that could affect local schools and towns throughout the state, retirement security of tens of thousands of people, and health care for millions.  In recent days Quinn has dropped broad outlines of many ideas he has in mind for trying to straighten out the state's finances including cuts to Medicaid and constitutional officers’ budgets as well as closing a number of state facilities. State Representative Adam Brown has a number of items he would like to see the Governor address such as workers compensation reform and creating a better jobs climate.

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State Representative Jason Barickman believes it is an opportunity for the Governor to lead but so far we have seen very little leadership from his administration. He says the state currently faces huge financial challenges and hopes he realizes that.

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State Representative Dan Brady wants to hear about Medicaid and pension reform in the governor’s message. He wants both parties to work together to begin paying back the unpaid bills the state has.

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Governor Quinn says the people of Illinois can expect deep cuts in the upcoming year.  He's looking to scale the budget back to 2008 spending levels.  He'll lay out his plan on how to rein in the state's out of control budget.  He says Medicaid reform is a priority and he wants teachers to kick in a portion of their retirement benefits.  The governor is also expected to move forward with facility closures despite heavy opposition, including the closure of Jacksonville Developmental Center.

The Governor delivers his budget address tomorrow at noon. You can hear the address live on The Big 1520 AM/92.3 FM WHOW.