Candidates, stay on target

Some people might be amused that candidates for Illinois governor spent time last week at a forum debating the causes of global warming.

We are not.

The last we knew, Illinois’ governor does not have a vote in Congress. The governor has no direct say in the pending “cap-and-trade” legislation, which passed the House earlier this year and is awaiting Senate action.

The five Republican gubernatorial candidates who attended the forum dismissed scientific research that pollution from vehicles, factories and power plants causes global warming. Contacted afterward, one GOP candidate said he accepts that human activity contributes to global warming, one GOP candidate isn’t sure, and two Democratic candidates agreed there is a link between manmade pollution and global warming.

We’d prefer candidates for governor to leave the global warming debate to others. They need to focus on climate change of a different sort – Illinois’ budgetary, economic and ethical climate.

The state government’s financial condition is precarious and getting worse. Illinois owes billions of dollars to service providers, and its budget has a multibillion-dollar deficit. Just this week, Illinois was fingered in a national report for its “lack of fiscal discipline to balance its state budget,” according to Pew Center on the States.

In fiscal year 2010, Illinois has a staggering $13.2 billion budget gap – among the worst three states in the nation. The state has engaged in short-term budget chicanery – borrowing money, putting off payment of bills, and skimping on pension payments.

Locally, the state’s lack of financial support threatens the viability of agencies such as Self Help Enterprises, which provides services for people with disabilities in Sterling, Rock Falls and nearby areas. Self Help is owed half a million dollars.

Statewide, public universities are hurting because the state hasn’t sent its aid payments on time. At Southern Illinois University, the state is $115 million behind on monthly payments, which it hasn’t made since July. As a result, the university might not be able to make its December payroll.

The state’s weak finances are a reflection of Illinois’ bad economy. The loss of jobs in this state is alarming. More than 10 percent of the work force is idle. Home foreclosures are up. Consumer spending, which drives the retail and service economy, is feeble.