I endorse the recommendations of The Civic Federation's "Fiscal Rehabilitation Plan for Illinois" to resolve the state's fiscal crisis.

Illinois' fiscal crisis is years in the making and a national embarrassment. It is time for tough choices and resolve, it is time for new leaders ready to embrace fiscal responsibility.

I agree that Illinois must continue to reform it's public pension system providing all employees with a choice of pension options. A new system needs to be created which reduces the long term burden to the state within constitutional methods.

The state needs to reduce expenditures by at least $2.5 billion. The only exceptions to reductions are Medicaid and general state aid for education.

The members of the Illinois General Assembly need to challenge their leaders and the governor to reform the budget process to include greater participation from the elected representatives of Illinois.

Clearly difficult spending and revenue decisions still need to be made, but continuing to do nothing is a far worse option.