Priorities

Dear Friends, When I announced my campaign two weeks ago, there was no pageantry.  There were no balloons and bunting, no adoring family by my side.  Instead, I took the opportunity to talk about the fiscal crisis we are facing in Illinois, and to lay out my comprehensive plan to fix it. Under my plan, we can restore a balanced budget by 2012 while holding the line on income taxes for 97 percent of Illinois families. I have posted my budget plan for tax fairness on my website for all to read.  Download it here to share with your friends and family. Last March, Governor Quinn introduced his budget, relying on an income tax hike of 50 percent for all Illinois families.  He also talked about the crisis we're facing, and said immediate action was required.  After failing to win support for his budget this year, Governor Quinn recently announced he wants to wait until after the February primary to enact his 50 percent tax increase.  It's understandable that he doesn't want to face voters with a renewed emphasis on his plan to raise taxes across the board, but it's not responsible, and it's not right. I began my campaign by introducing a comprehensive budget plan because I believe this crisis shouldn't wait, and that things are getting worse. This was never more clear than in Tuesday's paper.  The Chicago Tribune told the story of an 86-year old woman who received a collection letter for the first time in her life from her physical therapist. The woman had suffered a stroke in December, and while the bulk of her expenses were picked up promptly by Medicare, her secondary coverage is provided by the state.  Because of our budget fiasco, state payments to health care providers are backlogged by more than six months, and over $1,400 of her medical expenses are yet to be paid. Imagine spending your entire life – 86 years – paying your bills on time, honoring your commitments.  And then only when you are most vulnerable, most worried about your health, the collection notices start coming for bills you didn't even realize you owed.  Put simply, the state of Illinois has not been honoring its commitments.  It has not kept the faith. This story especially struck me because just the day before, I sent to Governor Quinn a batch of state contracts totaling over $51 million for artistic and professional services that I think should be scrutinized before payments are made.  These contracts ensure that ad agencies and consultants get paid, but do nothing to cover the health care providers who care for our most vulnerable citizens and are owed in excess of $350 million.  Only Governor Quinn can say whether we should or should not pay these contracts, and on what schedule.  If he says so, if he says these contracts are his priority, then they will be paid promptly.  It's his choice. My priorities are clear.  I want a tax structure that is fair and progressive, and that spares the middle class a 50 percent tax increase.  I want to eliminate our backlog of bills to health care providers.  I want to make sure we keep faith with the people to whom we have made commitments.  I want to move Illinois forward. Help me move Illinois forward by joining my campaign and click here to sign-up to volunteer on our website. Thank you for all you do. Very truly yours, Dan Hynes P.S. Sign the petition to show that you support my plan to balance the Illinois state budget without raising taxes on working families or slashing vital state services.

Paid for by Friends of Dan Hynes

1545 N. Wells St.
Chicago, IL 60610

To unsubscribe from this mailing list, click here

Powered by NGP Software, Inc.