On January 8th, then President-Elect Obama proposed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009.  The package contains targeted efforts in:

 

• Clean, Efficient, American Energy
• Transforming our Economy with Science and Technology
• Modernizing Roads, Bridges, Transit and Waterways
• Education for the 21st Century
• Tax Cuts to Make Work Pay and Create Jobs
• Lowering Healthcare Costs
• Helping Workers Hurt by the Economy
• Saving Public Sector Jobs and Protect Vital Services

Specifically for state and local governments, the President has proposed providing federal dollars for capital projects, education, school construction health care, transit, job training, the Medicaid program and many other programs.  An analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that of the total program, Illinois' governments would get about $7.5 billion, with residents seeing another billion in tax credits, including child tax credits, additional Social Security income and additional money via food stamps. 

Specifically, Illinois would receive almost $2.9 billion in Medicaid assistance over two years. 

The proposed legislation will change as it goes through the U.S. House and Senate.  Check back here next week for any updates.

To read CBPP's analysis of the Medicaid assistance for the states click here
To read the total analysis of the stimulus bill click here


Read the summary
Read the committee report
Read the entire legislation

 

Governor Blagojevich's impeachment trial has begun in the Senate.  The Governor is boycotting the trial, instead choosing to go on several national TV shows including The View, Larry King Live, Nightline and Good Morning America.  He believes the trial is unfair. 

Today during the trial some of the FBI transcripts were heard.  Click here to read the transcripts or listen to part of the tapes.

Senate President Cullerton believes the trial is fair, from the Sun Times:   "If the governor is saying that he can't come here and testify, that's not true. If he's saying he can't voluntarily bring witnesses, that's not true. If he's saying he can't subpoena certain witnesses, that is true because of the request of the U.S. attorney," Cullerton said. "But he could bring in other evidence if he wanted to, public records those witnesses have made in the past."

The House has already voted 117-0-0 to impeach Governor Blagojevich. 

Background
On December 9, 2008 Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested on corruption charges including attempting to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat.  Governor Blagojevich claims he has done nothing wrong and remains in office. 

Following his arrest the Illinois House created a Special Investigative Committee to investigate any misconduct and to make a recommendation to the full House on impeachment.  (View the members here).

The Committee met regularly, discussing matters such as the expansion of the FamilyCare program, audits by the Auditor General's Office and the government's criminal complaint against the Governor.  The Governor was represented by his attorney, Ed Genson in Committee.  On January 8th, the Committee recommended impeachment to the full house on a vote of 21-0-0.  The Final Report of the Special Investigations Committee as well as other Committee documents can be accessed here. 


Check out www.thecapitolfaxblog for minute by minute details of the Senate trial.