Fw: Budget Town Hall Follow Up and 2010 Survey Results

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Interesting information...

Senator Steans has been one of the leaders in nursing home reform. She appears

to be very supportive of the developmental disabilities community, as well.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

Budget Town Hall Follow Up and 2010 Survey Results

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Steans

State Senator

7th District

August 26, 2010

Budget Town Hall Follow Up

Thanks to everyone who attended the Budget Town Hall hosted by

State Representative Greg and me last week, as well as to Ralph Martire,

Executive Director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, and ce

Msall, President of the Civic Federation, for their highly informative

presentations. I greatly appreciate the questions and suggestions generated by

the audience. The general sense from all involved is that the state needs a

comprehensive solution - no cuts, tax increases, or borrowing alone can solve

our enormous budget deficit.

For those of you who were not able to attend but would like

more detailed information on the state's budget, you can find the presentations

and handouts from the event on my website.

As a follow up, Representative Greg and I will have

open office hours from 1PM to 4PM at Truman College, 1145 W. , in Lecture

Hall B and Room 3136 on the third floor. Please stop by at your convenience

with any questions or suggestions you may have about the budget.

2010 Survey Results

Recently I mailed a newsletter that included a survey

regarding a number of legislative issues. The results of the 300 responses I

have received thus far are below. If you live in the 7th district and have not

yet completed a survey, you can share your views at

www.surveymonkey.com/s/Steans2010. If you have not received a copy of the 2010

mailer, I can e-mail you a pdf or send you a hard copy of the document in the

mail.

1. In addition to working on a comprehensive budget solution,

what should my top legislative priority be for the next legislative session?

a.. Job development/ Economic Growth 49.5%

b.. Education 22.7%

c.. Ethics Reform 13.2%

d.. Crime Prevention 9.8%

e.. Environmental Protections 4.7%

2. What is the best way to improve Illinois' education system?

a.. Increase parent involvement in schools 33.1%

b.. Improve educational standards 32.8%

c.. Reduce class sizes 23.8%

d.. Expand charter schools 6.2%

e.. Increase teacher compensation 4.1%

3. How can Illinois promote job development and economic

growth?

a.. Increase small business tax incentives 36.1%

b.. Improve business climate with reduced taxes and less

regulation 31.3%

c.. Improve job training programs 22.4%

d.. Improve higher education 10.2%

4. How can Illinois better prevent crime?

a.. Increase after school programs for youth 45.5%

b.. Increase surveillance cameras in our communities 28.6%

c.. Increase police in our communities 25.9%

5. What ethics reforms will most improve accountable, honest,

and open government?

a.. Decrease campaign contribution limits 33.0%

b.. Increase states' attorneys oversight and prosecution

authority of state and local government 32.3%

c.. Require lobbyists to report client compensation 28.1%

d.. Create full-time legislature 6.6%

6. What does Illinois need to do to improve the health of its

citizens?

a.. Reduce institutional placements in favor of more

community-based services for Illinois citizens in need 31.1%

b.. Increase public health prevention education and

awareness programs 30.4%

c.. Facilitate more accountability by health and human

services providers 14.7%

d.. Increase staffing ratios in Illinois health and human

services facilities 14.0%

e.. Provide technical assistance and support to merge

struggling non-profits 9.8%

In the open response section, responses varied widely. The

most common items discussed are below:

a.. The majority of responses discussed the budget. (18 cut

spending/ 3 lower taxes and 13 raise taxes/18 keep or increase funding for

social services/14 keep or increase funding for education).

b.. Twenty responses focused on various ethics reforms such

as term limits, legislator pay, and leadership reform.

c.. Many respondents feel gay marriage or civil unions must

be a legislative priority (17).

d.. Gangs, crime, and police funding were also a common

concern (16).

e.. Eleven respondents focused on environmental issues

(recycling, energy efficiency, and renewable energy) and nine discussed public

transportation.

f.. Senior services (6), jobs (6), and increased reform for

folks in nursing homes (8) were also discussed.

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