Pihos Perspective for February 26, 2014

Performance Audit Shows Need for Criminal Investigation of Quinn’s Anti-Violence Program

The Neighborhood Recovery Initiative (NRI), a program designed to reduce risk factors associated with violence in Cook County, was developed two years ago by Governor Quinn. One month before the 2010 election, the Governor’s Office used that authority to give the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority (IVPA) the responsibility to develop a framework for the program as well as sizable appropriation to administer it. On Tuesday, the Illinois Auditor General released a report citing pervasive deficiencies in IVPA’s planning implementation, and management of the NRI program. 

According to the report, the NRI program was hastily implemented, limiting the time for appropriate planning. In fact, some of the most violent Chicago neighborhoods were not included in the program. Required timesheets were not consistently maintained, and expenses were not adequately monitored, according the Auditor General’s findings. In total, the report questioned $1.8 million of the $4.4 million, or 40 percent, charged by these agencies to the NRI program.

The Audits also exposed that state law was broken when funds between various accounts were moved in order to evade the legislature’s authority to annually appropriate General Fund dollars. Essentially, the Governor was able to create a non-appropriated slush fund of $91 million that could be used in future fiscal years without having to request that the General Assembly re-appropriate those dollars.

While spending for education, infrastructure improvements, and many other critical programs continues to be cut back, the Governor was able to amp up limited state resources for the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative. As a member of the Legislative Audit Commission, I join with my Republican colleagues in requesting the Auditor General refer these findings to the Executive Inspector General for further investigation of potential criminal activity.

New Task Force Formed to Study Heroin Epidemic

Last week I joined the newly-formed House Bipartisan Task Force on the Heroin Crisis. The panel is charged with studying the need for legislation to address the concerns that this epidemic is generating on the part of both suburban families and local law enforcement. Members of the Task Force on the Heroin Crisis plan to hold four public hearings in Chicago and the suburbs during the course of the Spring Session. It is important to continue to have an open dialogue with our community as we look for ways to prevent the loss of life through heroin abuse.

Recently, I joined a group of DuPage County lawmakers to unveil a comprehensive package of legislation designed to address heroin abuse and related crimes. It is our hope that the series of bills introduced last week will prevent the loss of life and protect families from having to experience such pain in the future. I look forward to advancing our heroin legislation package in Springfield this year in partnership with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who recognize the great threat heroin poses to suburban families.

House Unanimously Sets Spending Amount for Fiscal Year 2015

A key element of the Illinois budget process was approved in Springfield yesterday when the House adopted the preliminary estimate on what the bottom line spending number for the state in the coming year based on the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability’s (CGFA) estimates. This estimate, which has been agreed upon in a bipartisan manner, will set the ceiling for future spending and create a foundation upon which to build our budget. The House revenue estimate was set at $35.4 billion, compared to last year’s number of $35.6 billion. This is more than $600 million less than the Office of the Governor and over $1 billion less than the number used to craft the previous year’s budget.

Setting the spending amount at CGFA’s conservative and reasonable revenue estimate was a responsible first step toward reining in our state’s penchant for increased revenues and putting Illinois in a position to balance its budget.

Budget Town Hall Meeting in Wheaton

I would like to thank members of the community who attended Representative Bellock’s and my budget town hall meeting in Wheaton Monday evening. The joint town hall included presentations outlining the Illinois budget process, the graduated income tax being proposed in Springfield, along with a question and answer period where members of the public were invited to raise their concerns.

As State Representative, I am very happy to answer any questions you may have on the budget process as we move forward. Please call my District Office at (630) 858-8855 or email me at SandraPihos48@gmail.com.

Upcoming 48th District Event Calendar

Education Advisory Group
Wednesday, March 12th, 7:00-9:00 PM
Hadley Junior High School
240 Hawthorne Boulevard, Glen Ellyn

Aging and Senior Issues Advisory Group
March 13th, 10:30-11:30 AM
Beacon Hill
2400 South Finley Road, Lombard

DuPage Job Fair
Wednesday, April 2nd, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
College of DuPage
425 Fawell Boulevard, Glen Ellyn

Lastly, I know that many of the issues confronting the General Assembly are controversial and as always, I value your input. If you have any further questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to my district office at (630) 858-8855 or by email at SandraPihos48@gmail.com. Please be sure to include your name and phone number so I can get back to you. Your correspondence is always appreciated.

Kindest regards,

State Representative Sandy Pihos