WSIU InFocus Video Player

The Illinois Commission on Governmental Forecasting and Accountability is holding hearings around the state on Governor Pat Quinn's decision to close seven state facilities and lay off nearly 2,000 employees to help close a $313-million shortfall in the current state budget.

Hundreds of southern Illinois residents turned out to voice their opposition to closing the Chester Mental Health Center and the Illinois Youth Center at Murphysboro. The Commission will take testimony gathered at the hearings and public comments before the bi-partisan panel of twelve state representatives and senators makes its recommendation to advise the Governor about whether or not the facilities should be closed.

On this week's WSIU InFocus, Dan Long, the Commission's Executive Director, talks with Jak Tichenor about how the group will go about deliberating the fate of the local facilities. Long also discusses CGFA's responsibilities for developing the revenue forecasts used by the General Assembly to prepare each year's state budget and how this year's state income tax increase is affecting the state's cash flow situation.