With Pork Like This, No Wonder Illinois is Bankrupt
by John BambenekImagine this, your state has a budget deficit of $13 Billion dollars (despite having a constitutional clause that requires balanced budgets). The state is months late in payments to local schools. Medicaid providers aren’t getting paid to treat the poor so they stop seeing Medicaid patients. Social service providers are going out of business because they received state grants which the state isn’t paying on. What would you do to start to address this?
Here is what Illinois is doing, spending more money. As a case in point, the state has begun construction on a $580 MILLION dollar interchange between I-57 and I-294 in Chicago. What makes this a complete waste is that an exchange already exists only 3.5 miles away from the one planned. This map will help show how absurd this is.
To get to I-294 from I-57, you have to exit on I-80 and head 3.5 miles east to get to I-294. It’s not a bad jaunt, really. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and live downstate now. I make this trip dozens of times a year. Perhaps when the interstate was built it might have made sense to put a direct interchange between I-57 and I-294. The reality is, it’s maybe an additional 2 minutes of travel time. The bulk of the additional travel time isn’t the roads, it’s the toll booths which we can all be quite sure they will continue to exist once the interchange is put in.
They justify this over half BILLION dollar expenditure because they argue having that interchange will generate billions of economic growth in the area once it is in place. Take a look at that <a href=”http://www.parttimepundit.com”map again to see how absurd that is.
There is minimal development at the I-80 / I-294 interchange because people on those roads are trying to get out of or into the city. They aren’t there to take in the scenic views of Markham.
The only economic development this project will lead to is the kind of economic development that inflates the campaign war chests of politicians.
At a time when the State of Illinois has no money to pay local schools, no money to pay its vendors, no money to pay Medicare providers and no money to pay social service providers, it is not the time to lay concrete just for the sake of laying concrete. Heck, if construction spending is so necessary, there are any of 100 projects that actually need to be done compared to this expenditure for mere style considerations.
Even now, Illinois keeps spending itself into a ditch. Politicians are saying there’s no place to cut and we absolutely need tax hikes. Even now they say “the children” will suffer without a tax increase. Yet, they can’t help themselves and fund projects like this instead of funding already budgeted operations. Or better yet, spending money on priority items instead of lavishing cash on “nice to haves”.
A closing note, Illinois still have not solved it’s budget deficit. This year, the deficit stood at about $13 Billion. Because of stunts like this, next year’s budget deficit is already looking to be around $17 Billion (assuming nothing major happens between now and June). A brief note to Illinois politicians, “It’s time to stop digging.”
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87 Comments
So "Build it and they will run"?
Great article.
Well, it is the State that condemned the United States of America to the poor house with the likes of Obama.
Obamanomics states that the State spending 580 Million will produce well over a Trillion Dollars in revenue.
Obama is the dumbest person to ever hold the Office of President of the United States of America. I blame the people who voted for Obama, just as every other American should do.
Follow where the money goes. One can almost be certain it will flow into certain friendly pockets and a specified percentage on into dim campaign funds. That's Chicago politics. No wonder Raum wants to be mayor. His share of the graft will be huge. Also, is the land to be purchased from private citizens or is it already public lands?
We need an On-Line mechanism in every State, and in the Federal Government, to require detailed accounting for every penny of OUR Tax Money that elected officials spend! We will win the financial-oppression war when that is Legislated and passed into Law!
Transparency and accountability to the people, and a new mechanism for the people to respond, is what is needed! Does anyone know what Obama, Pelosi & Reid did with our Tax Money, in detail? or on the State level, what Bloomberg does with NY's Tax Money? Is it On Line, including Contributions and dispersments? and do the people have a mechanism, besides voting, to object!
We can no longer accept what we've been going through here for the last 2 years. Watching our Treasury being 'looted' and on the State level watching parallel highways being built in Illinois, or unnecessary Street Signs in New York. We need new stop-gaps for the Citizens of the U.S. to be able to block this.
If there is one now, it's not working, so we need to replace it, along with our elected Officials, and institute Term Limits for all, either by voting and rotating them in and out, or by legislation. Career Politicians are a problem! Go Kirk!
So… you would deny thousands of worthless union slobs several more years on the gravy train? Why, you're heartless and cruel, Mr. Bambenek! Where else but on the public dime would they be able to find "work" propping up shovels for six-figure salaries?
;-D
Your link is broke to me.
Edit: The map link.
And I wonder how much of this will be funneled into an overseas account for Barry-Bop.
The federal government is to blame for allowing this to happen, but, gee, guess who runs the federal government?
These theiving a$$ponies need to be sent home in November 2010 and then in 2012.
Look to Illinois as a model for what our country will be like if Obama continues to get his laws passed and his programs implemented. Citizens have let the "machine" run Chicago and much of the state for so many years that few know that there is any other way for a city or state to function. If the citizens continue to nominate and elect the corrupt politicians, they get what they deserve. I do feel sorry for those who vote against this but don't have a chance to change things because of the the threats and bribes to people, multiple votes, miscounting of votes, and the votes of the dead(who now can get Social Security checks also. Maybe they are bribes for their votes. )
It must be shovel ready.
If anyone wishes to understand why Illinois has accumulated such a debt, look no further than one of the bigger political stories to break in Chicago in the last week: the arrest of Carla Oglesby, a close aide to Cook Country Board President Todd Stroger Jr.
Ms. Oglesby was hired by Stroger because she was a family friend. She was hired at an outrageous salary. And then what did she do once hired? Steered no-bid contracts to shell companies controlled by her or her family members. The FBI has charged her with money laundering and corruption charges.
The Democrats control so much of the state that corruption like this is the norm. People like Blagojevich, Stroger, Quinn, and the Madigans routinely make deals to line the pockets of their friends and cronies, and then demand that we the taxpayers of the state foot the bill. They are literally stealing this state dry, and then do everything they can to stay in power so the money stream doesn't go away.
These people need to be swept away from office. Every last one of them. And yes, I am angry. Very, very angry at what I am seeing all around me here.
This is WHY I MOVED TO UTAH.
Thank you. Also, I told you so. Not you guys specifically, but there were plenty of us that shouted from the rooftops that obamao was going to do this. We got called. . . . well, hell. Just pick a damned slur and they called us that. I wrote about it and received death threats to the point where my wife would judge my writing on the AMOUNT of death threats we received.
Been there, done that, got charged for the damned t-shirt.
*snort*
Don't you know this interchange will be a huge slush fund for Chicago/Illinois politicians to line their pockets? Of course they're going to build it!
A brief note to Illinois politicians, “It’s time to stop digging.” <I say hand them a bigger shovel.>
I grew up about 90 miles North of that interchange pictured and watched as the tolls went from .25 cents in the 70s to 40 cents in the 80s, 75 cents in the 90s and now it's a buck fitty to drive through there, that is it was in 2007 and that was for a car. This new project sounds like another Union Fantasy. Illinois is so corrupt it reminds me of my new state of California. They can't find any budget cuts? How about a 50% cut on the politician's wages? What kind of savings would that be? What about stopping pay-offs to the Unions? I don't think they are looking hard enough for cuts. I hope IL joins WI in jumping on the Conservative bandwagon.
I swear, sometimes I think there is a RACE between some of these Blue States as to who can go bankrupt first. Seriously. California, New York, Massachusetts and Illinois …and a few others. Here in Florida we also have a balanced budget amendment. Yet the State budget is going to be upside down next year big time. The Legislature and Governor have for the past 3 years STOLEN our disaster funds to balance the budget AND have raised taxes and minimally doubled EVERY service fee …and made up some new ones as well.
Illinois …you get what you vote for. And should anyone move here to Florida …LEAVE your Progressive thinking and politics at the border. And if that's not good enough – FL has over 12% unemployment, no jobs, it's very hot, lots of old people who can't drive very well resulting in high car insurance, you need flood insurance more than not (be sure to check & see if you need 'sink-hole' insurance), food ain't cheap (although housing is), lots of illegals, K-12 education for the most part sucks, a lot of cranky people, NO unions unless you work for the gov't …but they're laying people off, not hiring.
Does this new Interstate just happen to go through Valerie Jarrett's slums? She was hoping to offload them at a tidy profit to the Chicago Olympic Committee. So, is this the plan B, to grease her palms? I am serious.
I drive a semi, and go through this interchange (and Chicago) only as a last resort, however, within the last year, they just finished doing massive construction on the existing one, and it is not really bad. Even during rush hour- Maybe they would be better off, keeping the money in the pocket of the taxpayers.
If they insist on spending the money, they could dig a moat around Springfield
I can not fathom how 1 interchange could cost this much
Try this one, Walt. There was a typo in the URL – "pudit" was supposed to be "pundit."
"Illinois keeps spending itself into a ditch. Politicians are saying there’s no place to cut and we absolutely need tax hikes."
Illinois really needs their own Chris Christy to take the reins. Unfortunately, there's only one Christy. That's a real shame.
Just look at all the illegal construction workers that get hired. We wouldn't want them going back to where they came form before we convert them to good little Democrat voters, now would we.
Dear Mr. Obama,
I read this morning that you are going to go on the “America would have been worse without me” tour to boost your parties poll numbers, with 99 days to go until election day. Being a natural born and bred capitalist I find this fascinating. Think of it this way; if I invented a new car with square wheels and then did a tour around the country trying to convince people, that those round wheels are just to darn efficient and useful – how many people could I convince? Not many. Unless they are attendees of the “Nut Roots” convention, you could probably sell a whole bunch of my square wheeled cars to those people!
See, Mr Obama, in my world I’ve got to do or create something that others find enough value in to part with their money, that they could use for an infinite number of purposes. To illustrate this; take Al Gore for instance. Does Al buy another massage at the happy ending saloon, or, does he buy more earth polluting energy efficient light bulbs? Tough call. If he was real careful he could have as much fun with the light bulb I guess, but even Mr. Gore would have to realize it was not worth the risk. In your world, Mr. Obama, you have to create words on a page that will either use force or coercion to get my fellow citizens to do the federal governments bidding. Do you see the difference? One is based on a voluntary association the other being foisted upon a citizen through threat of death or financial coercion.
So you, and other liberals, must go on tour and tell us how we can be best managed by those of your ilk rather then on our own. Now, Mr. Obama, it would be one thing if liberal progressive democrats had a record worth aspiring to. But no sane citizen can make that claim, every program that you and those of your ilk have pushed has placed this nation in bankruptcy – morally as well as fiscally. In essence the United States of America has had its perfectly round wheels converted into square ones and now you, Mr. Obama, must explain to us why we must abandon the round ones and drive our lives on the square ones.
To borrow a phrase from you, “Make no mistake,” if there is one person that can convince America to commit suicide your election is proof that you have that ability. Maybe while you are touring you can link up with Dr. Kevorkian and discuss the death panels? After all you always claim that you are seeking the most experienced minds on any given topic – until you decide only to use them as cover all the while spouting the liberal line, and ignoring their advice anyway. Senator Judd Greg is darn near clairvoyant on this reality. Have a good week Mr. President and please remember that every dollar you will be spending on your travel and entertainment my kids are paying for, so take it easy on the Jet A and the Kobe Beef. Maybe you should figure out which President bought his own postage stamps, and tear a page out of his code of conduct and follow it?
Respectfully,
Joe Doakes
Here in the Tampa Bay area the gov't has been doing construction for OVER 20 years on what we call "malfunction junction" – where I-4 connects to I-275. It is a mess with millions of tax $$$ spent. I've figured out how to FIX it, and I'm no engineer. Reagan was more than right when he said "Government is not the solution. Government IS the PROBLEM."
Been through that one a few times also.. Stay at the TA frequently,, we have to go off MLK a lot, and they don't have parking
You make a good case for cloning. Imagine what would happen if we cloned 49 more Chris Christies as State Governors.
I wouldn't expect anything less from the state of thugs!
Is anyone surprised that Illinois, New York, California, Mass. and the Fed Government, run by Barack Hussein Obama, are broke, and suffering?
Vote them all out, and start Trials for Re$titution, and Justice!
When do these "movies" of corruption, poverty and Democrat socialism stop?
Yes, actually we would.
Remember to support "Amnesty." Any illegal immigrant that leaves the country, should not be prosecuted. Now that's an amnesty that I can get behind.
Thieves and thugs.
In California it is not going to change until we CHANGE THOSE IN CONTROL! Brown, Boxer, Pelosi…MUST NOT BE ELECTED!!!
Quinn just awarded Aurora IL 8 million for improvements to a river walk. Aurora has a record number of property tax, tax sales. The Mailman told me one route had 50 notices. People are loosing there homes, but they will have a nice river walk. I guess the homeless are good for the economy. Aurora has a history of displacing the poor, with there own taxes, to bring in the rich. There are new expensive condos on that future part of the river walk. This is to lure people with money, since the condos aren't selling.
Nah. Jarrett's slums are on the South Side; this is out in the southern suburbs. Still Crook–I mean, Cook County, but you're dealing with a slightly different group of criminals and grafters than in the city itself.
Maybe a Chris Christy satellite web training ~ Down in the polls? Get Chris Christy Certified!
well, one small problem with your estimate, any project near chicago suffers the daley overrun multiplier. the closer it is to the center of chicago, the more of a multiplier, this one will have only a 20 to 30 percent overrun. next, they will be getting some of the funds from obama stash, you can bet. and lastly, if this project does not get all the lazy union bums working for a few years, they will make another interchange a few miles away from this one. i also forgot to mention, they extended another tollway a few years back, so if you want to avoid 294/80/57, you can use the 355 to 80 to 294, problem solved. but hey, what is a few billion more among friends?
The cost is probably due to the extra money needed to buy out the people who own the houses that will have to be demolished to build this. Not to mention how to reengineer the interchange at I-57 and Sibley Blvd. that this new interchange will almost certainly disrupt.
They must provide the union jobs so the unions have money to give back to their campaigns in the 2012 election. They're going to need it.
No, Obama isn't the dumbest, not the brightest either. But the Obamanicas?…now that's dumb.
91% of blacks voted for obama because of his skin color. This will never change because they don't care about policies or bills or anything. The other zombies were the holly weirdos and koolaid drinkers. This also will never change. It's up to us.
There's plenty to lay on Obama, but Illinois spending isn't one of his current sins. This one's on Quinn and the Illinois Democrats, feathering their nests for their imminent retirements.
I am a pharmacist, and learned a few years back that, in order to move to certain areas of Illinois to practice there, that union membership is required by local law– that's why you will NEVER see me moving there– so they think just by building more roads will make it more attractive to move there? Not in my book………
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jamesdelingpole...
And which private citizens have family on the planning commission. The Chicago way!!
well, the interstate system is a big failure. it was designed to bring people into cities, and what it has done, is allow people with means to move away, and leave behind the people who love the bastions of liberalism. the joke is here, near chicago, there are lots of cops and teachers, who are required to live within the chicago city limits, that have a chicago mailing address, but live out here in the burbs, and most of the union members have dual voter registration, so they vote twice. and, your last line is wrong, it make it easier to leave illinois, the improved roads that is.
Could you just see it . . .
Some future bridge from Chicago to parts beyond . . . a sign reads . . . "Bridge Out, Toll taker on vacation, all thanks to Mayor Rham Emmanual's "Now You's Can't Leave" Program."
Can you say "more union jobs" ?
This, along with IL's fondness towards regulations, and Chicago politics polluting the state, are reasons why as soon as I can, I am getting the hell away from IL.
Not to mention the unions went on strike during road construction for a few months
My family just recently moved into a much smaller house, closer to town and the Highschool where I live. My parents felt like they literally dodged a bullet when everything went to hell in 2008, as my family's old house would never have sold, and we'd be in poverty.
wouldn't work… he'd get a dead fish in the mail, then end up in the cement under the nice new interchange.
Gov Blago is on tape hitting up the cement contractors in November of 2008. He said he'd add a lane to the tollway in exchange for a fat contribution before the contribution rules changed in 2009.
So…some things never change. Union jobs, prevailing wage, skim some off the top for your pals.
Welcome to Illinois, where the Governors make the license plates.
And don't forget Elgin, just upstream from Aurora. Another 8 million for a riverfront park. The school district (U46) is broke. Social services are in shambles. Illegal aliens roam free in Elgin and Aurora.
And a month before the election Quinn and Noland are patting themselves on the back for bringing 8 million in federal dollars for a worthless project.
These shovel ready projects given to only the inter circle are the norm. Wonder why unemployment is high and getting worse and the fat cats are the getting more rich.
Tollway is the is a Hugh joke. It can never paid off as it has always a place where state government has a abused it – I avoid it as much as possible. But why this should be an exception.
No Alex , No Jan, No Bama
Something tells me that the corrupt Labor Unions are eyeball deep in this one.
There is zero chance that new economic development will be spurred. That area is a nexus of poverty, crime and middle class homes. If you go two minutes West of where they cross, you run into Markham, a town that has an obscenely high crime rate and roving gangs that make even driving through at the speed limit dangerous.
I used to have to work in that area and if you didn't have a gun with you, it was better to lie about finishing and go back during daylight hours (a cop even told my supervisor that he was insane for working there outside after dark). Welcome to the wonderful world of Illinois with it's head-in-the-sand politics.
It's a bypass. You've got to build bypasses.
Even worse…if you are willing to exit I-294 and go west on 159th st. about a mile you can access I-57 in even less time than using the existing configuration.
It is a waste of money but, in all fairness, they have been talking about building this exchange for 20+ years.
p.s. Not that anyone cares…I grew up in the shadows of the water tower pictured above.
I've been traveling on this route once every few months or so for the last 6 years. It is exactly as the author says.
You can't fathom how one interchange can cost this much except it most likely will end up costing more.
Don't you people realize that every $1.00 of graft creates $1.79 in economic stimulus?
Don't forget about the sludge treatment plant that will cost IL taxpayers $264 million.
The project is a decade behind schedule and is now determined to not even be needed, but must go ahead anyway because they can't get out of the contract.
More sickening is that commissioners awarded the contract to a company partly owned by the districts former superintendent.
The story is a disgrace.
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/06/unwant...
(the cost has again risen since this article).
Oh, and the former superintendent who will reap financial gain was previously acquitted on federal corruption charges.
Did I mention our meter readers have Segways. I complained at the city and they said they need them. I have worked on my feet my whole life, usually carrying heavy loads. I never had a Segway. I wish I had a job that required no walking, toys, pension, and exemption from the ponzi scheme Social Security. I am unemployed, and facing tax sale too. I'm trying to sell my house for squat, just to get out of this Marxist state of Mexico IL. If I can't I'll be sleeping right in front of those luxury condos.
I'm already in poverty. I can't even afford the poster board, to make signs for my yard any more. If you know where Locust is, I'm the crazy sign man. I had signs like "I've got a trigger option for congress". Now I just have a Campaign for Liberty sign. I hope I'm selling the house.
When you realize both parties are the problem. We have nothing but Progressives and NEOCONS in IL. Vote Libertarian or enjoy your slavery.
The state is broke !
You need food too, but if you only have $5 in your pocket you dont buy a $20 steak.
But, of course you knew that.
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy reference.
I grew up 15 minutes from the existing I-294/57 interchange. Another one is not needed.
What about Kirk?
ALL ILLINOIS POLITICA ARE CORUPT TO THE CORE WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT DEMOCRATS. Always has been, Always WILL be. I grew up in IL. South suburbs of Chicago. My grandparents used to run a speak-easy in Cicero in the 20's. Some of the story's I never believed until I grew up. Screw the "people" Crony politics. My Ant and Uncle have voted in EVERY election since 1955. they have also both been dead since 89 and 98 respectively. AND they vote DEMOCRAT. But of course you knew that.
I smell a slush fund.
Illinois State Flower = Roadis Constructionus Coneus
Illinois State Bird = Indictedcus Governoris
Illinois Motto = "You going to have to pay…."
Sounds like a shovel ready job and a massive payout to the unions. Yeah I should just throw money at the unions, 'cept I barely have enough to pay the bills most times. dumb dumb dumb DUMB!
hmmm dual voter registration– hadn't even thought of that one– sounds like a whole area of (more) union fraud that's gone unpunished, much less investigated…….
I left Fl for VA 21 years ago for family reasons(schools, crime etc)and although I miss the weather and the fishing(especially the fishing)I haven't looked back. VA ain't great but I don't envy y'all down there.
Where do think Mr. Obama got all the money for his election, from 5 and 10 dollars checks?
DON'T PANIC! And be sure to take a towel with you.
The primary industry in and export from Chicago is corruption.
Sorry to hear you are out of a job. Me too. Elgin has its condos on the river as well. And they are empty. Even the auction was a failure. They had a nice restaurant in the area that was closed down. The city bribed some guy to take the property. He turned it into a bar/fight club. The noise in the middle of the night was unbearable so they shut him down.
Then there was the pit bull attack in the new Festival Park.
The government answer is to throw another 8 million at it.
I'm only speculating here but I'll bet that the reverse of the "Hillbilly Highway" is now underway in Illinois, only this time, instead of hard-working folks fleeing the poverty of the South driving north to where the jobs were, cars full of people and belongings with Illinois license plates are heading south to such places as Texas where they don't try to steal via taxes the hard-earned jing most people need to support their families.
I think the Illinois and Chicago pols know how destructive their behavior is but I think they don't care as long as they can get their share of the loot before the entire state implodes.
That's probably one reason why Rahm is heading back to Chicago. He's aggravated that he's been out of the pig pile since foul-mouthing his way into the West Wing; plus, he probably doesn't want to be within Barry's striking distance when the November election results are final.
So we've spent over a Trillion. No wonder O is not worried about the next election. We will be getting enough return on our "investment" to pay off the debt !!! Not,
Racist democrat agent provocateur troll: We reject your racist democrat propaganda. Nobody here agrees with your racist democrat party talking points, you can try to be as shocking and racist as you want, but we know who you are and request you go back to DUNG and spew your racist democrat hatred there instead.
We need to draw a big circle around Chicago, maybe out around 50-60 miles, construct a Great Wall of China-style barrier, and then declare the rest of the state "Outer Illinois."
I'm completely serious. The rest of the state isn't nearly as effed up as the area around Chicago. Every problem stems from that part of the state. The so-called "downstate" portion of Illinois is like a different world, politically speaking, from the Chicago area. I've heard folks talk about secession — and again, I'm being completely serious. There's no reason for all Illinoisans to go down with the ship.
Born and raised in this state and lived in Cook County. In the kingdom of Cook county in the realm of Dem politicians who will NEVER give up their power and special deals to friends and relatives.
Gov Quinn even borrowed $4 billion more for pensions while the state literally falls apart at the seams and fails to pay its bills. If I didnt pay my property tax the state would sell my house from under me. He also gave big raises to his saff, state unions and is continuing the pay to play IL is famous for. And Quinn even wants a income tax increase to fund all the special deals. Minor spending cuts is all but the pols spending goes on. Also rumors that SS will become taxable by the state.
By the way visit the <a href="http://WWW.NTUI.org” target=”_blank”>WWW.NTUI.org WEBSITE TO SEE what retirements teachers and State University retired people make. IL top 100 Govt pension payouts 2008-09 are: The most paid out is $390,716 and the 100th is $178,277 PER YEAR. These people paid peanuts while the taxpayers get the bill for the rest. Gov Quinn even borrowed money to pay these costs. This is public pensions run AMOUK. Dont believe me visit the site and see for yourself.
Heads up…they just changed the state motto. It is now "You are going to pay more…"
Can someone please confirm that all of this happened under Democrat control (I.e.: Democrat governor[s], Democrat controlled State Legislature, etc.)? Thanks.
Illinois is financially bankrupt because it is morally bankrupt.
We do not have a Republican form of government, we have a Democracy. Chicago voters decide by majority who controls the General Assembly and thus run state government by holding majorities in the House and Senate plus all the Constitutional offices.
Illinois will only improve its fiscal situation when Chicagoans improve their morality and stop voting for those who try to bribe them with free gifts stolen from those who earn.
Yhere next problem will be the Mass Exodus form the State just like is happening in NYC and a host of other states where there's huge tax implication cause of there state Reps stupidity. I say let'em build it and let'em come to Wisconsin to help our cause and lower our taxes, LOL !!!
Can you do the same for East St. Louis as well? Maybe even demand passports or visas for people to leave the city to cross the Mississippi river?
+1 for the HGTG reference
, farmers… some of us caught it.
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