June 4, 2008

On Saturday, May 31, the Illinois General Assembly approved a state budget for FY2009 and adjourned for the summer.  The budget restores $3.5 million of the $4.5 million cut from the Illinois Arts Council’s budget in FY2008.  It also appropriates $4 million for the Arts and Foreign Language Grant Program through the Illinois State Board of Education.  Funding for the Grant Program was eliminated in FY2008.

This budget is a step in the right direction, but we haven’t crossed the finish line yet.

Future of State Arts Funding Uncertain
In a press conference on Monday, June 2, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced that the budget passed by the General Assembly has a deficit of $2 billion and is unconstitutional.  “The state constitution requires that the legislature pass a balanced budget,” said the governor.  “I have in my possession a budget that is out of balance.  I think it’s fair to say that the legislative process ought to continue, and we do not have a budget for the state of Illinois.”

The governor is meeting with the legislative leaders of the General Assembly – Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, Senate President Emil Jones, House Minority Leader Tom Cross, and Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson – this week to discuss the budget.

As deliberations on the budget continue, it is essential that Illinois legislators hear from you about the importance of the arts and arts education to the cultural, educational, and economic vitality of our state.

IAA Action Alert
In the coming days and weeks, the Illinois Arts Alliance will call on you once again to make your voice heard.  Please be on the lookout for an IAA action alert that asks you to take action on this important issue.