GOP Senate Leader Radogno discusses budget cuts with Illinois Review - Part 1

Illinois Review exclusive interview with Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno

LEMONT -- Before last week's spring session break, Illinois Senate Republican caucus offered a 22-page response to Governor Pat Quinn's 2012 budget proposal. They call their plan "The Reality Check," in which they lay out $6.7 billion in spending cuts. The GOP senators encouraged their Democratic colleagues to scour the ideas for budget solutions, rather than borrowing billions and raising taxes and fees.

This week, the legislature will return to the Capitol to continue budget discussions. In an exclusive interview with Illinois Review last week, Minority Leader Radogno said that Illinois taxpayers need to pay attention and understand what's going on in Springfield concerning these budget talks. Below are the questions IR asked Sen. Radogno, and the audio of her answers:

IR: Please give our readers a brief overview of the Senate Republicans budget proposal.

CR: CRbudget1

Continue reading and listening below:

Here's the chart (click to enlarge) she was referring to in her answer to the first question:

 

IR: And what, besides the $6.7 billion in spending cuts, is the Senate Republicans' response to Governor Quinn's proposal? 

CR: CRbudget3
 

IR: We read that Quinn would like to borrow funds to pay off bills this year, but that he's really not proposed anywhere near the substantial cuts your caucus has offered. How will these two different views come together? 

CR:  CRbudget4

Illinois Review's exclusive interview with Senator Radogno to continue Tuesday.  It can be found HERE.