BIRKETT BLASTS GOVERNOR FOR SCARE TACTICS ON BUDGET, FAILURE TO LEAD

WHEATON – DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett sharply criticized Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn today for his recent threats to cut state services unless his unnecessary tax increase proposal is approved.  Birkett made the comments after the Department of Children and Family Services threatened to cut funding for Child Advocacy Centers across Illinois.  Such centers were pioneered in DuPage County and are a national model on treating young victims of sexual abuse.

            "The citizens of Illinois as well as newspapers from across the state have noted that Governor Quinn has not made a serious attempt to cut wasteful spending in state government," commented Birkett.  "He's leaving in the pork and trying to blackmail providers of vital programs to support his unnecessary and burdensome tax increase.  It's the same scare tactics former Governor Rod Blagojevich employed.  The first mission of government is to protect society and the most important members of society are innocent children.”

            The DuPage County Children’s Center investigates and processes all cases of child sexual and severe physical abuse in the County and works with children who witness violent crimes.  The Center receives government funding for its basic operations including staff and building maintenance.  However, there is little money for programs to support child victims and their affected family members.  In addition, the Center has no funding for community awareness or abuse prevention. 

            Birkett urged Quinn to go back to the drawing board and make the tough cuts that a Governor needs to make instead of asking taxpayers to fund his wasteful budget.

            "Do your job, Governor Quinn, and stop using young child abuse victims as a shameless prop in your budget games.  Be a leader, not a fear-monger."

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