Impact Of The Impasse: The Ripple Effect On Our Community And Economy

On Tuesday, June 20th, the BGA’s Springfield Advisory Board and the Citizens Club of Springfield hosted a panel discussion at the Sangamo Club in Springfield. Expert panelists, providing firsthand accounts of the impact of the impasse, say the blame for Illinois’ fiscal problems can be shared by many, but the solution rests on the shoulders of everyone. The panelists spoke on the necessity of our leaders seeing the pain inflicted upon everyday people.

Some of the real impacts of the impasse include:

• High school graduates looking at colleges in other states because of lack of Illinois education funding.
• Qualified healthcare professionals are looking for jobs outside Illinois.
• Women and children relying on shelters are in danger of being forced onto the streets. 

The panelists stressed these tangible consequences are only the beginning of Illinois’ problems if action is not taken by either lawmakers or the public.

The event aligned with the BGA Springfield Advisory Board’s second anniversary and sets the stage for the next Springfield event on September 27.

The event was broadcast live on WMAY 970-AM and 95.7-FM.

Special thank you to the Robert R. McCormick Foundation for its generous support of BGA civic engagement events.

BGA Springfield Advisory Board

Marilyn Kushak, Chair
Cindy Davis, Vice Chair
Emily Becker
Dan Cadigan
Dr. Kevin Dorsey
James Forstall
Hon. Karen Hasara
Mike Lawrence
Kip Leverton
Victoria Ringer

BGA Team

Andy Shaw, President & CEO
Bob Reed, Director of Programming
Mary Frances O’Connor, Development
Bethany Jaeger, downstate consultant

Citizens Club Of Springfield

Board of Governors

John Allen
Hon. Tom Appleton
Rich Bowen
Gordon Brown
Josh Collins
Theresa Cummings
Geoff Davis
James Forstall
Michelle Higginbotham
Ron Ladley
Mike Lawrence
Lee Milner
Arthur Neal
Kent Redfield
Jim Roth
Elizabeth Simpson
John Stremsterfer
Bruce Strom
Joe Ushman
Kenley Wade

Officers

Bob Gray, President
Willis Logan, Vice President
Jim Donelan, Secretary
Carroll Sutton, Treasurer