On Feb. 1st, the Oak Brook campus of Lewis University was treated with a visit from State Senator Christina Rodogno.
Rodogno came to speak to two classes, Dr. Steven Kayevich’s ethics class and Professor Bill Patterson’s Public Policy Administration class. Both classes sat and listened as the senator made a presentation on the state of the State.
Rodogno started out with a general overview of how the state of Illinois, like many other states in the union is traveling through some tough times in these troublesome economic times.
“We have big money problems. The state is close to insolvency and it is only a matter of time until we will not be able to make ends meet. We have borrowed a lot of money and through poor spending.”
Students were encouraged to ask questions throughout the Senator’s presentation, and when asked what changes needed to be made to encourage better spending and to solve the states solvency problems, Rodogno had a very lengthy response.
“To raise more money we need to do more than just raise taxes. First we need to limit spending. Right now the state spends its money freely and not necessarily in a wise manor. Programs, such as education, are not getting the money they need, and other areas are absorbing large parts of the budget, such a unions. We need to cut back in general though. Second, we need to reform social programs, such as Medicare and the corrections system. Those are too money hounds, and we are just inefficient in the way that we spend our money in these fields. Our corrections system has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country, and many of these offenders do not necessarily need to spend time in prison. And the most important part is growing the economy. Right now Illinois is one of the most unfriendly, due to high taxes and other expenses placed on companies by the state. states for companies to operate.
All in all, we need to make Illinois a more productive state and raising taxes isn’t going to make that happen. If we can encourage business growth more and more people will want to live here, which will give us the financial support that we need. But not much will happen until after this year’s upcoming elections.”
The election and party tension was also a much discussed topic, and Rodogno had lots to say about both.
“Our state is no different from the rest of the country; we have Republicans and Democrats and its surprising how strongly people will disagree. In order for the major changes that this state needs, we need strong leadership from the Governors office in order to encourage agreement. We don’t have that right now, and both houses of the state government are strongly divided. Whether or not the Governor is Republican or Democrat will not matter as much as whether or not he or she comes in with strong ambitions. Blagojevich had his healthcare, and Edgar had education, but they both pushed a lot of legislation through, not necessarily legally, but they got stuff done.”
The matter of the gubernatorial race is also imperative as the state is up for redistricting, and the governor has veto power over the redistricting and could help keep things as they are.
“Right now our districts favor the Democrats, and if the there is another Democrat governor it will stay that way, but if a Republican can get into office there is the potential that the districts will be redrawn in a manner that would be a little more equal and give the Republicans more seats in both legislative chambers.”
Another hot topic for the students was the matter of the reinstatement of the MAP grants which almost were revoked last semester.
“They got put back on the budget because of the outspoken support for them, but whether or not they stick around for good, is a matter for the governor. And it will just depend upon the plans of whoever is elected, but all of the support for them leads me to believe that they will not be going anywhere.”
All in all, the Rodogno’s visit was well received and she encouraged the students to stay in touch. “I make a point to personally respond to the majority of my mail, so be sure to let me know how things are going,” Rodogno told everyone as she wrapped up her presentation. Her closing words were “Good luck to all, and remember to vote.”
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