November 20, 2008

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois Senate

95th General Assembly

            Pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(b) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return Senate Bill 1103, entitled “AN ACT concerning appropriations” with line item vetoes in appropriations totaling $55,037,850.  

            I take this action with great reluctance given the significant challenges facing the people of Illinois. However, sound financial management and prudent fiscal policy demand that I must not sign an appropriation bill that is not fully supported by sufficient revenue sources. This legislation relies, in part, on funds that are restricted by the federal government. Using such funds could put future federal funding in jeopardy.

I share many of the spending priorities outlined in this legislation, and with sufficient transferred revenue would support restoration of previous vetoes. But, due to the clear hypocrisy of the revenue passed in support of this legislation, sufficient revenues are not be available to meet the obligations outlined.

In addition, the Department of Revenue has recently concluded that due to the current national fiscal crisis statewide revenues are falling short of the amounts initially budgeted by the General Assembly. While the nation faces such a tremendous crisis, we must use all available resources to protect the stability of the State and the needs of its people.

I stand ready to work with the General Assembly to address the financial and service needs of the State. I encourage the General Assembly to pass additional supplemental revenues that would fully support the restoration of the vetoed items. 

Pursuant to Article VIII, Section 2(b) of the Illinois Constitution, I hereby veto the appropriations items listed below:

In addition to these specific item vetoes, I hereby approve all other appropriation items in Senate Bill 1103.

Sincerely,

ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH

Governor