Monday, July 18, 2011

Uncharitable Quinn Doesn't Deliver. In fact Raids Food Bank

Anne Leary

Gov. Quinn (D-IL), rather than doing the usual food fave exchange from their respective states, wanted to do the deed in person at a food pantry. I'm sure he thought to embarrass Walker by somehow implying Walker was less caring, but Quinn's the one left with egg on his face.

For people in need of a food pantry, unlike Illinois, Wisconsin has balanced their budget and shored up their bond rating. Their unemployment rate is lower than Illinois' as well.

Then there's the matter of the state of Illinois sneakily raiding charitable accounts to try to plug its budget gap.
Earlier this summer, the Champaign News-Gazette reported that the State of Illinois has usurped more than $1 million this year from charitable contributions to help cover its own expenses—money that taxpayers specifically designated to help Illinois service organizations such as Champaign’s Crisis Nursery.  According to figures provided by the Office of Management and Budget, it appears that state officials have borrowed nearly $1.176 million in fiscal year 2011. The funds borrowed from fiscal year 2011 are, by law, required to be recompensed within 18 months.

But 18 months is a long time for charities to wait for funds. Many organizations, such as the food bank in Alton, are experiencing shortages right now.
The least you can do, Gov. Quinn, is deliver a responsible budget, but you can't even deliver a Chicago deep dish pizza.

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