CHANGE

People of Illinois, it looks like it may be time for a change.  Our last Governor may have had issues; however, he did not make threats to shut down Illinois if he did not get his way.  Power struggles, temper tantrums, threatening our senior citizens, the children that depend on the Department of Children Family Services, forcing DCFS to send out pink slips, and threatening to cut some jobs of the people of Illinois that also depend on budget money to service our people.  Theoretically, these threats are hypothetically for the good of Illinois so they say.  The only thing the Governor and some of the legislators have done so far is stress out the people of Illinois.

Obviously, we do not want the legislators to agree all the time; however, we do not wish for them to put the people of Illinois lives in dangerous waters.  Not one legislator’s family would have been affected by the so called budget as it stands right now.  Look at all the people lives connected to DCFS this budget would have affected if the court had not stepped in and stopped  insensitive acts. However, there are others out there whose services are in jeopardy or cut now, waiting for a budget to happen to see if they will get their jobs back or families outside of DCFS will get back the supports they need too. The disabled, the elderly, early childhood programs, early intervention programs, Autism programs, and daycare for other parents who can’t work without daycare assistance, etc. are all in this category too.  

Previous years we have had budget problems.  Unfortunately legislators found ways to go into overtime; they could not come up with a budget in the original time permitted.  Therefore, tax payers paid for every day they were in session.  If the politician’s cannot get the job done by the first deadline, then they should work for free.  Also, there should be no per diem until the job is done.  We voted these people into office and pay for them to do a job.  If they drag it out with power struggles and temper tantrums they should not be rewarded with overtime pay. This is money that could and should be spent elsewhere. If we limit their everyday expenditure, may be the job will be done right and by the deadline. That will help the budget.

When people sit high and look low they start to think they are untouchable.  This year 2009 some people have went too far. One threat too many; are you tired of being intimidated every year? It is up to us the people of Illinois to put a stop to insensitivity and make a change.  Maybe it is time for new walks of life to step in to position without a doubt; from head to toe.  If you feel it is time for a change; remember the legislator’s that think of themselves every year before they think about what is good for the people of Illinois.  Also, keep in mind everyone does not come up for re-election at the same time; so remember all their names for when it is their time for re-election, so we can vote them out. We must let the legislator’s know we mean business, we will not be intimidated another year.  Then maybe there will be no budget threats for the fiscal year, 2011, and no legislators over time sessions tax payers will have to pay for;.  We are putting more money in their pockets every year and they are taking more money out of ours.  Is it time for a CHANGE?

Gladys Boyd, President IFAPA
We Work for You