Before the State can restore its fiscal integrity, it must address a true budget deficit estimated by the Comptroller at $3 billion, and of a public pension system that is the worst funded in the nation.

1.We SUPPORT an independent review process for analyzing the cost to taxpayers of various local government pension and disability changes.

2. We SUPPORT the passage of a Capitol Budget that identifies a fair and equitable funding source and includes funding for important regional infrastructure projects.

3. We ENCOURAGE legislators to resist the temptation to add or expand unfunded social programs , such as Health Insurance and Universal pre-school, which will cause additional strain on an already overloaded State budget.

4. We SUPPORT a balanced budget that includes responsible fiscal restraint and a long term, equitable revenue strategy.

5. We SUPPORT repealing or rolling back anti-business taxes and fees. We OPPOSE both a gross receipts tax and a payroll tax because they will further drive business out of the state.

6. We OPPOSE legislation that would increase the corporate income tax on businesses. Of particular concern is the proposed tax on leased software, which will eliminate one of the few economic advantages Illinois possesses in attracting high technology employment.

7. We OPPOSE the renewed efforts to extend the three-year-old tax cap on residential property. Enacted only in Cook County, the cap has generated a tremendous property tax shift to both commercial/industrial and residential property owners that have not seen assessed values increase more than 7%.