Illinois is in a fiscal abyss, and without stringent reforms the state will continue failing. That’s why the nonpartisan Illinois Policy Institute has proposed “Budget Solutions 2012"...

We propose that the state creates a $150 million pot of funds. Each of these relatively small programs and grants must compete for funding from the Competitive Grant Funding pot.

The nonpartisan Illinois Policy Institute released today a balanced, line-by-line alternative to the budget proposed by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn.

Budget Solutions 2012 is a balanced budget proposal that does not require budget gimmicks, tax increases or borrowing. It is an exercise in priority setting. The truth is that tax dollars cannot support state government at its current size.

Budget Solutions 2012 is an alternative budget that does not rely on the state’s recent tax hikes as a revenue source, does not include borrowing and has positive cash flow for fiscal year 2012.

Institute CEO, John Tillman, featured in an article on Gov. Quinn's plan to borrow $8.7 Billion in attempt to pay off existing debt.