East Central Reporter

District 110 House Rep. Reggie Phillips met face to face with voters at a recent town hall meeting, saying that Illinois’ budget crisis was not created overnight and will not go away quickly, as he emphasized the need for new financial policies.

“The stopgap budget is a six-month fix, and we are not done negotiating the budget for the remaining of the year,” Phillips recently told the East Central Reporter. “The financial mess of Illinois was not created in the past 18 months, and it will take just as long to fix it with the proper financial policies.”

Phillips said that, although the stopgap budget is only a temporary solution to the state’s financial situation, it was crucial for lawmakers to fund schools and other necessary state programs.

“It is vital that we continue to honor our pledge to our communities and ensure schools K-12 and higher education open on time and stay open,” he said. “We must also ensure school programs that provide essential needs for those less fortunate are open and operating. We have a fiscal and moral obligation to the citizens of Illinois.”

The stopgap budget was of particular importance to Phillips’ district in that it included funding for Eastern Illinois University (EIU) and the Monetary Award Program (Map). EIU, which was able to receive 90 percent funding for the 2016-2017 year with the stopgap budget, had faced over half a year without state funding.

“We have to start negotiating the next six-month budget now simply for the peace of mind needed for our constituents,” Phillips said. “There is no need to wait until the last minute and force a budget through. We have the time, and I am hosting these town hall meetings to hear directly from the constituents on what they like and don’t like about the budget. It’s a frank conversation -- and that is what we need to finish the budget.”

During Phillips’ town hall meeting, which was held at an EIU extension in Marshall, many residents expressed concern over the budget deficit and questioned how the state will fill that gap. Phillips said he is willing to look at increased revenue if it is brought along with cutbacks and some revamping.

“The answer is not easy, but it is necessary,” Phillips said. “I will support a revenue increase that is equally matched with cuts and reforms.”

When asked what he felt voters were looking for in the upcoming election, Phillips said he sees a strong sense of awareness happening in the country.

“At my town hall, we had a packed room with folks coming to listen, learn and ask tough questions,” he said. “We need them to take the information they did hear and talk with their friends and neighbors. I don’t think it is a movement of insiders versus outsiders, but I do believe it’s a movement of policymakers that are willing to make the hard, tough decisions that are best for the communities versus what is best for their individual careers. I have been here for approximately 18 months, and I am determined to fight for good policies that bring jobs back to my district and funding to keep my schools open.”