The current economy has presented challenges to everyone in the state from businessmen to teachers to local government officials to social service providers. State Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) has seen these challenges firsthand and has been working to bring the state’s finances in order.

“Our current fiscal situation was created after years of mismanagement. There are no easy solutions, but I am glad that we have finally started to face our fiscal realities in Springfield since I have been in office.” Gordon explained, “It will take time to fix the situation that we are in, but I am encouraged by reforms that have been put in place.”

This spring, Gordon with worked colleagues on both sides of the aisle to create a budget that increased transparency and cut spending. The budget that was passed requires that all revenues realized in excess of the passed budget be used to pay outstanding bills to vendors. The reforms were designed to help stop chronic overspending that has been practiced for many years from legislatures and governors of both parties.

“Every day I hear from a business and community leaders about the challenges they are facing because of the mountain of unpaid bills,” Gordon said. “Whether it is a social service provider who is not receiving Medicaid payments, or a business who is not receiving payments for the work they are doing for the state, everyone is affected by the state’s financial situation. It is important that every elected official does their part to make sure spending is limited because our businesses and service providers will continue to bear the burden of unpaid bills. I look forward to working in a bi-partisan fashion with other legislators to find solutions for this problem in the same way we worked together on the budget.”

Gordon also cut her own pay in order to be able to give back some money to the state. For more information, or for any questions, please contact Rep. Gordon’s Constituent Services Office at 309-681-1992.