MT. VERNON, IL – Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced he was calling the legislature into special session to address the state’s budget on July 9, according to State Senator John O. Jones (R-Mt. Vernon). Jones said legislators hold out little hope that the extraordinary session will resolve the ongoing conflict.

The Governor has said he would not sign the budget passed at the end of May because of a $2 billion gap between state revenues and spending – unless the House took steps to generate more money.

Rather than use his veto power to reduce spending, the Governor set the special session for July 9 to focus on revenue bills. The Governor wants to raid about $500 million in special purpose funds and borrow money. 

If the bills aren’t passed, then the Governor said he will call another special session July 10 to address other budget-balancing scenarios, including reduction vetoes.

But the revenue measures the Governor is pushing aren’t the right solution for the state’s ongoing fiscal mismanagement. Rather, it is the continuing lack of leadership and infighting among the Democrats who control all of state government office that has led to the current gridlock over the budget.

Sen. Jones added the budget deficit would be half a billion dollars less if the state had managed to keep pace with the rest of the country in job growth, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Had Illinois kept pace with the national average of 5.9 percent growth, 190,000 more jobs would exist as would another $504 million in state revenue. However, after five years under the Blagojevich administration, job growth in Illinois has fallen 2.6 percent according to the latest federal figures – placing Illinois at 43rd place in the nation.

MT. VERNON, IL – State Senator John O. Jones (R-Mt. Vernon) is hosting his annual Senior Fair at the Salem Community Center on July 8, 2008 from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. All interested seniors in the Salem area are invited to attend for information and demonstrations on important quality of life issues.

Highlighting this year’s event will be Salem Township Hospital, which will provide blood sugar screenings.  “Senior citizens who attend should fast for at least 8 hours prior to the blood sugar screenings,” Jones said.

Also, representatives from the Illinois Treasurer’s office will be in attendance. The Treasurer’s office will be providing information on the state’s “CASH DASH” program, which allows Illinois citizens to find unclaimed assets that are being held by the state.

Salem Eye Clinic staff will be on hand to provide vision screenings as well. The Opportunities for Access organization will also provide information about amplified telephones. Free refreshments and door prizes will be provided to all in attendance.

What: Senator John O. Jones Senior Fair 2008
When: July 8, 2008
Where: Salem Community Center, 416 Oglesby St., Salem
Who: Representatives from the following agencies or businesses have been invited to participate in the event: Salem Township Hospital, Salem Police Department, Social Security Administration, State Treasurer’s Office, Illinois Department of Insurance, Department of Veterans Affairs, Attorney General’s Office,  Salem Eye Clinic, Marion County Health Department, Kaskaskia College, Midland Area Agency on Aging, Opportunities for Access, BCMW Community Services, Community Care Services, Senior Services of Marion County, South Central Transit, Addus Adult Day Care, Air Evac Lifeteam, The Center for Independent Living, Bandy’s Pharmacy, Arthritis Foundation, The Manor at Salem Woods and Heritage Woods of Flora.

For further information about the event, please contact Senator Jones’ office at 618-242-9511.