WHEN does a wrong seem morally right? The House got a taste of that dilemma when it voted to take money from dedicated funds to continue operating state parks and important human services.

Back in June, the governor cut $1.4 billion from a state budget that had way more spending than available revenue to pay for it. Unlike most people who would have made cuts in areas that don’t affect front line services, the Governor cut popular programs, cut funding that attracted millions of federal dollars, and cut programs that even made the state money.

The last straw for many people was when the Governor announced that 11 popular state parks and 18 historic sites throughout the state will close and nearly 400 front line state employees will be laid off at the Department of Human Services and the Department of Child and Family Services. Many asked “What was he thinking?” Hundreds of citizens have written my office and turned out at a rally in Oregon last week to support restoring some of the funding.

I joined in approving limited sweeps of dedicated state funds to keep some of these important state programs operating and to keep people working. We are all well aware that unemployment in Illinois has jumped and stood at 7.3 percent for the most recent monthly report. Laying off people not only means the services they provide clients in need will not be available, but also they still get paid unemployment benefits from another program of the state.

I am extremely disappointed that leaders and the majority party have put our state in this situation and it has come down to sweeping special funds to provide frontline services to the disabled, mentally ill, and other vulnerable citizens.

It’s time to make some hard choices about funding based upon program effectiveness, priorities and actually getting federal matching money.

House

approves lottery lease plan

Leasing the lottery to a private operator is not a new concept floating around the state capitol. Many have pointed out how little revenue Illinois receives from the lottery compared to other states like Georgia. The idea is to lease 80 percent of the lottery to a private company for a period of between 15 and 60 years for a one-time revenue influx of at least $10 billion to be used for education, capital construction and pensions, if there is any money left over.

Legislators have rejected the idea of leasing the lottery many times and most citizens still tell me it is a bad idea to sell an asset to pay ongoing operating expenses. It’s like selling your house when you still need a place to live. However, Speaker Madigan wanted to reduce the pressure he is receiving to pass a capital bill.

The plan contains many reforms including a reconstituted Gaming Board, ethics provisions and prohibition to expanding the types of games that can be offered. Some believe lottery sales will have to increase dramatically to justify the anticipated lease price.

Although the lottery lease proposal passed the House last week, I believe the entire idea was a hoax put up by Speaker Madigan to give his members political cover during the election season.

The plan did not include specifics regarding how the money will be spent, a usual Madigan requirement. Instead, it gives executive agencies the authority to decide which projects will be funded and where.

Senate President Jones has already said the lottery lease doesn’t generate enough revenue to fund the needed capital projects.