Sen. Win Stoller (R-Germantown Hills) | Photo Courtesy of Win Stoller
Sen. Win Stoller (R-Germantown Hills) | Photo Courtesy of Win Stoller
Republican state Sen. Win Stoller (R-Peoria) wants to know the impact of the budget cuts forced on Illinois State Police by Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s recent budget cut demands.
During a recent Senate Appropriations — State Law Enforcement Committee hearing, Stoller questioned Illinois State Police Director Brendon Kelly about the situation.
“Last fall, Gov. Pritzker instructed all state agencies to list out 5% budget cuts for the current fiscal year and 10% for FY 2022, did you receive that memo?” Stoller quizzed Kelly.
Later, ISP CEO Michael Yokley told committee members the department accounted for the adjustments by shifting to other state funds and implemented a hiring freeze across the department.
“What is the impact of these cuts on your operation,” Stoller asked, before wondering out loud “is there a list or a summary of these cuts that has more detail?”
The cuts were part of the more than $700 million Pritzker vowed to make in the state budget as part of his overall plan to take on a $3.9 billion projected revenue shortfall at least partly stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the governor has insisted his plan is the result of a “months-long and ongoing review” of state agency spending, some have argued he has only made the state’s financial woes even worse with the numerous shutdowns and countless restrictions he has imposed on the state through his executive actions.
To counter these allegations, the governor has pointed an accusatory finger at Republicans and their resistance to his proposed progressive tax, which fell far short at the ballot box last November of the 60% support it needed for passage. The governor and his supporters had sold the measure as higher tax rates only for the state’s most affluent residents.
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