SXU hosts fourth annual “Breakfast with your Legislators” question-and-answer and networking event with local elected officials

(Left to right) State Sen. Edward Maloney (D-18^th), Chicago Alderman Ginger Rugai (19^th), Cook County Commissioner John Daley (D-11^th), State Rep. Monique Davis (D-27^th), Cook County Commissioner Joan Murphy (D-6^th), Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth Gorman (R-17^th), Blue Island Mayor Donald Peloquin and State Rep. Kevin Joyce (D-35^th).

Chicago (Sept. 30, 2009) Elected officials from the southern Chicago area answered questions from local business leaders about everything from Chicago’s 2016 Olympic bid to the state budget at the fourth annual “Breakfast with your Legislators” event today. The Beverly Area Planning Association and the Blue Island, Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn Chambers of Commerce presented the event. Saint Xavier University hosted the event at its Chicago campus, 3700 W. 103rd St. AT&T sponsored the event.

Participating elected officials were State Sen. Edward Maloney (D-18th), State Rep. Kevin Joyce (D-35th), State Rep. Monique Davis (D-27th), Cook County Commissioner John Daley (D-11th), Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth Gorman, (R-17th), Cook County Commissioner Joan Murphy (D-6th), Blue Island Mayor Donald Peloquin and Chicago Alderman Virginia Rugai (19th).

State Rep. Kevin Joyce (D-35th) on the Illinois state budget:
“I don’t think there is a need to raise the state sales tax to balance the state budget. We need to get our own fiscal house in order before we talk about any increase in the sales tax.”

State Sen. Edward Maloney (D-18th) on rising cooperation among legislators in Springfield:
“The mood and spirit of cooperation in Springfield is much better now than it was under the previous administration. We go back in October and get down to work.”

State Rep. Monique Davis (D-27th) on pension reform:
“At this economically stressful time, it would behoove us to take a look at multiple solutions to control the cost of pensions across the board, in order to realize savings. Changes have to occur.”

Cook County Commissioner, Finance Chairman John Daley (D-11th) on the county budget:
“The Cook County Board president should hold the line on salary increases, and I believe that any budget that is presented should contain an 8-10 percent cut.”

Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth Gorman (R-17th) on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds:
“We can’t depend on this type of money to balance our budget. We need to think outside the box to get through these difficult times.”

Cook County Commissioner Joan Murphy (D-6th) on taxes:
“No one wants to raise taxes but sometimes you have to do it. We had not raised the sales tax in 16 years.”

Blue Island Mayor Donald Peloquin on rising regional cooperation during a down economy:
“The down economy has created a regional sense of cooperation like I haven’t seen in my 24 years as mayor. It is promoting fresh thinking about regional approaches and solutions. The current situation does not just affect Chicago. It affects the whole region.”

Chicago Alderman Virginia Rugai (19th) on Chicago’s Olympic Bid and Friday’s pending IOC vote in Copenhagen:
“Getting the games will be extremely beneficial and particularly for the south side. I am convinced that it is not a risk for us and that it will be very, very beneficial.”

-SXU-

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Jay Foot
Executive Director of Media Relations
(773) 298-3937 or foot@sxu.edu