SPRINGFIELD (WREX) -
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn touched on a number of important state issues in his 2013 state budget speech, including the future of some state facilities.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Gov. Pat Quinn says the health care system that covers 2.7 million people in Illinois is "on the brink of collapse."
In his budget address Wednesday, Quinn said Illinois must cut Medicaid spending by $2.7 billion to keep the system working.
But the Democratic governor didn't offer a plan for achieving that savings. He says a special working group will study the problem.
Quinn says possible changes include paying less to doctors and hospitals, cutting services, making it harder for people to qualify for Medicaid and more.
He challenged lawmakers not to end their spring session without a solution.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Gov. Pat Quinn says Illinois must act now on fixing government pension systems, but he isn't proposing a solution.
In his budget address, the Democratic governor is leaving that to a special panel. He says it must come up with a plan by April 17.
Quinn says in the prepared text of Wednesday's speech that he considers every possible solution to be on the table.
Government pension systems in Illinois are about $83 billion short of having the money they'll ultimately need for paying pensions. State government must contribute more and more money each year, leaving little to spend on other important needs.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Gov. Pat Quinn has officially announced his proposal to close 14 major state facilities, including two prisons.
The targeted prisons are a maximum security institution in Dwight and the "supermax" prison in Tamms.
Also on the closure list are four mental institutions and two prisons for juveniles.
In his budget address Wednesday, Quinn said the need to lower state spending "gives us no choice."
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Quinn confirms plan to close 14 IL facilities
Quinn sets April 17 deadline for IL pension plan
Quinn: IL Medicaid on brink of collapse
