A press release from State Senator Karen McConnaughay:

McConnaughay Reacts to State of the State

SPRINGFIELD- On Wednesday, January 29, Illinois legislators including State Senator Karen McConnaughay (R-St. Charles) got a preview of Governor Quinn’s agenda for the spring legislative session. The Governor delivered his “State of the State” address in the House Chamber before members of the Illinois House and Senate.

”While I think much of what Governor Quinn wants for the State of Illinois sounds nice, I have to wonder how he plans to make it a reality,” said Mcconnaughay.

“Today’s speech was a lot of lovely rhetoric, but not much substance. It also seemed to ignore some basic facts like Illinois having the third highest unemployment rate in the nation.”

McConnaughay was glad to see that Illinois’ bill backlog had decreased slightly, but wondered how that trend would be sustainable.

Mike Tryon and Karen McConnaughay listen to Pat Quinn’s State of the State speech.

“The 67 percent income tax increase imposed on Illinois families in 2011 is set to expire soon and I see no indication in the Governor’s speech that he has any plan to reduce spending accordingly.

“While I don’t want to see that bill backlog rise, I also can’t support making that increase, which took a week’s pay away from hard working people, permanent.

“Changing our tax structure to implement a progressive income tax is also a non-starter as far as I am concerned.

“Governor Quinn has some nice dreams for Illinois, but dreams without a plan to make them reality will never be realized,” said McConnaughay.

“Next month when the Governor delivers the budget address I hope he will come prepared to tell us how he plans to reduce wasteful state spending, and put Illinoisans back to work.”