Why did he wait 3 years to address these issues? In his address he blames previous governors for inactions! Why was he actually assuming his previous job as Lt. Governor the past 3 years regarding these issues?

Every one of the issues that Quinn is trying to address is something that absolutely needs to be addressed for the good of the state. However after years of the governors and legislatures failing to address them, now is NOT the time to change that, at least not in this way.

These issues should have been addressed many years ago, long before the state and nation hit a devastating economic crisis. Having waited to address the issues, with the nation and state still in the middle of a recovery, now is not the time. We have waited so long but right now the correct path would be to wait a year or two more.

This is the worst possible time to be taking measures that will have huge negative effects on those who already are suffering huge impacts. Now is not the time to be closing mental (or physical) health facilities. Now is not the time to propose measures likely to further raise already skyrocketing property and other taxes. Now is not the time to change medicare eligibility for the increasing number of people who need it.

With Illinois still reeling from unemployment and foreclosure there are more people than normal relying on medicare as their only lifeline for medical services. With a high unemployment rate there are more people than normal for whom any additional tax burden is going to lead to even more foreclosure and loss of homes. With the additional stresses created by high unemployment and threat of home losses, there is a greater than normal need for mental health services to help cope with those additional stresses and their consequences.

Having failed to address the issues years ago and knowing that they absolutely need to be addressed, this is not the time to finally address them. This is the time to let them slide for another year or two until we can hopefully see higher employment and lower foreclosure rates resulting in more normal need for the services facing cuts. This is the time to not take steps which would decrease pay or benefits for thousands already struggling under financial burdens. Sure the state is hurting badly, but a lot of people are currently hurting even worse.

More of the same, absolutely useless from this permanently lame governor. No action, keeping the status quo, keeping the strong civil service unions in his pocket and watching for his best interest and the union leaders best interest rather than the taxpayers, and our most vulnerable citizens that require the programs that he is cutting. What I don't understand is if Democrats are supposed to be so compassionate why are he and the Democrat controlled general assembly cutting health care, senior services, closing mental health clinics rather that support our most vulnerable rather than reforming pensions and cutting politicians staff and positions or pensions? Rather, Quinn gives his entire staff raises in the middle of this crises, but cuts programs and closes facilities that support our most vulnerable citizens.... This guy is just as if not MORE useless than the last useless idiot Democrat. What about the 66% income tax increase? Anyone figure out where that money went yet??? More of the same, the state will get deeper and deeper into debt, there will be no action, no reform. I honestly hope the whole thing implodes and goes broke and then maybe, just maybe they'll be forced to do something about it.