by Judith Ruiz-BranchIllinois News Connection
The proposal does not reflect the priorities of Black Illinoisans or address the historical disparities they continue to face.
CHICAGO - Illinois' Legislative Latino Caucus and Black Caucus have responded to Governor JB Pritzker's budget address he delivered last week, and each criticized the lack of support for their constituents across the state. In his speech, the governor outlined a $2 billion spending increase without tax increases. Some proposed cuts include eliminating Medicaid-like coverage for noncitizen adults ages 42-65 as a way to make up for the state's budget gap, which is estimated to top $3 billion. Kareem Kenyatta, owner of the Third Reading Consulting Group and a legislative consultant, said federal policy changes may be a contributing factor, while its sister program for immigrant seniors remains off the chopping block for now. "It'd be one thing if you had a federal government that was willing to come in and back you on initiatives like that," Kenyatta observed. "But in fact it's the exact opposite, where not only are you going to get less funding as a state but you may be punished even more for embracing these policies." Priztker's office estimated cutting the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program would save the state $330 million. The budget would be the largest in state history, totaling over $55 billion, a roughly $2 billion increase from last year. Kenyatta noted some Black Caucus members have pushed back, saying the proposal does not reflect the priorities of Black Illinoisans or address the historical disparities they continue to face. "I do think this is something worth watching as the budget process plays out," Kenyatta emphasized. "Usually, you have the party that's in control -- which in Illinois is the Democratic Party -- usually folks are on the same page and they can construct a budget together, even in tough years like this one." Together, members of the Black Caucus and Latino Caucus make up about one-quarter of the General Assembly. Kenyatta added it will be important for them to address any divisions incited by the governor's proposals in order to meet the May 31 deadline to pass the budget.
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What would happen if several thousand members of ISIS or a group similar to Hamas invaded our Southern border? What if a group of 5,000 terrorists with semi-automatic weapons stormed our border? What would it look like? It might look like the Southern border of Israel – horrific.
We were totally caught off guard on September 11, 2001. That was a horrific day for America and the world. The terrorist group who attacked us brought about much death and suffering for our nation. Israel, totally caught off guard, will forever be scarred by the recent surprise attack led by Hamas that resulted in the horrific slaughter of families.
We must wake up in America. We do not have a secure border. Hundreds of thousands are coming every month into our nation. How many of these people are members of ISIS? How many of them are members of hate-filled terrorist groups? Their only mission is do whatever it takes to bring about mass casualties and to inflict as much pain and suffering as possible.
They have proven to us that they will bide their time. They are patient. Hamas reportedly has been planning this attack on Israel for two years. How many people are already in the United States who are waiting for a command from someone to go into action?
We must fortify our border and stop the siege of our nation. We must secure our border and allow only an orderly, legal entrance into our nation.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called Hamas, ISIS. We have seen what ISIS is all about. They want to cut people’s heads off and broadcast it on social media and world-wide television. They want to mutilate women and children and burn people alive. We must be committed in America to doing whatever it takes to keep our freedom. There is a satanic mentality in the world that is like a slithering poisonous serpent waiting to strike our country just as Hamas has struck Israel.
Any form of religious expression that binds or enslaves people is evil. There is nothing good about any religion that oppresses people. Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” John 8:32. The true heart of God is love and freedom in Christ. It does not seek to bring about enslavement, torture or pain. This is the work of Satan.
There are innocent civilians in Gaza. Let’s hope that they find a way to escape. Let us pray that as few lives as possible are killed in this Israel, Gaza war. By the time you read this there may not be much of Gaza left as Israel will not play patty cake with Hamas. We pray for the innocent to escape and the hostages to survive and be freed. We must surely also pray for the success of Israel to root out and eliminate Hamas. The only cure for such evil is for it to be eliminated.
