Politics & Government
Jim Durkin Asks Why Illinois Should Pony Up $100 Million for Obama Library
With Democrats threatening cuts in education and social services unless they get a tax hike, why would they want to spent money on this, Durkin wonders.
Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin blasted Democrats on Monday for offering to put up $100 million to lure the Obama presidential library to Chicago.
"It's ironic that Democrats, who have been threatening drastic cuts in education and other state services if the 'temporary' income tax is allowed to expire, now want to spend $100 million in public funds on the Obama presidential library," the Western Springs Republican said in a statement. "Where is this money going to come from?"
Durkin, of Western Springs, reminded Democrats the state owes $7 billion in overdue bills and has a $100 billion deficit in its employee pension funds.
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House Speaker Mike Madigan last week passed a measure out of the Executive Committee — while no Republican members were in attendance — that would have the state borrow $100 million to put toward construction of the presidential library. Madigan said the state needed to offer that extra incentive to entice the library's selection committee.
Chicago, Hawaii and New York are expected to vie for the right to host the official library and museum.Find out what's happening in La Grangewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
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