Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner Tuesday afternoon announced several measures that state agencies are or will be doing, in the wake of the budget impass in Springfield.
The Illinois General Assembly last week passed a budget that's nearly 4-billion dollars short of what's needed to pay the state's bills. Rauner didn't sign the budget sent to him, and as a result he announced the following measures Tuesday afternoon:
At the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, effective immediately:
The immediate suspension of all future incentive offers to companies for business attraction and retention. This includes EDGE Tax Credits, Large Business Attraction Grants, Employer Training Investment Program Incentive Grants and Prime Sites Grants.
That agency will defer application approvals for film tax credits and High Impact Business designations.
And, the Governor says all commitments previously made in any of these programs will be honored.
The Governor also is preparing for the July 1 suspension of the State Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (SLIHEAP). The federal portion of the program, funded at about $170 million, will continue.
At the Illinois Department of Transportation, effective immediately:
The Illiana Expressway will not move forward at this time. As a result, the Illinois Department of Transportation will remove the project from its current multi-year plan. It is the determination of IDOT that the project costs exceed currently available resources. The Department will begin the process of suspending all existing project contracts and procurements.
Rauner also instructed I-DOT to “ground” all state plane passenger service starting July First. Planes will be maintained and available for emergency services.
At the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, Rauner ordered the beginning of the process of identifying one or two juvenile correctional facilities for closure. The Governor says the Illinois Juvenile system has a surplus Capacity at approximately 1,200 beds, with less than 700 occupied.
At the Department of Corrections, Rauner ordered the start of the process of closing the Hardin County Work Camp. Approximately 180 inmates will be moved, and about 60 Work Camp staff are affected.
At the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Governor ordered implementation of an audit review of nursing home reimbursements to ensure payments comply with recently implemented new rate structure. He also ordered the agency to recover overpayments to nursing homes and implement financial penalties for improper billings.
At the Illinois State Police, the Governor ordered an immediate freeze on all vehicle purchases.
At the Illinois Department on Aging, Rauner filed emergency rules to enact means testing to Aging’s Community Care Program. No income limit currently exists. He also told the agency to increase the Determination of Need (DON) Score required to obtain services through Aging’s Community Care Program.
At the Illinois Department of Human Services, as a result of the lack of a state budget, the Governor told the agency to pursue cost control strategies through emergency rules to the Childcare Program, increase copays for parents using the program; and freeze intake and create waiting lists. DHS will also begin background checks for relatives providing child care. Background checks are currently required for child care licensed centers, group homes and non-relatives who provide care.
And, at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Rauner instructed that agency not to award Open Space Land Acquisition Development Grants in FY16, and The Department will begin the process to suspend operations and close the five state museums to visitors. The state will continue to maintain and secure the museums to protect the artifacts and exhibits.
Legislative leaders in Springfield are expected to be in session thru the summer until a new state budget is reached.
