A recent Chicago Tribune article discussing the challenges incoming governor Bruce Rauner faces focused quite a bit on the increasingly dire state of Illinois state finances (not to mention the myriad problems facing individual municipalities). Between increasing debt, a crisis in funding the state's pension systems, and weariness on the part of the taxpayers there is little joy coming out of Springfield. There is more apprehension than anything. Rauner has called for cutting taxes while increasing funding for schools all the while the state has debt and is working on paying back money it borrowed from itself to fund the state's general fund. This comes at a time when the temporary income tax increase is scheduled for its first drop costing the state billions of dollars in revenue. The lost income wouldn't have been enough to cover the funding gaps and pay off debt, but it was a start. Assuming the income tax does drop to some extent, the state of Illinois needs to work on budgeting itself appropriately and prioritizing the best projects for the state. Perhaps it is obvious to most people that a tollroad described as one of the country's worst boondoggles by the US Public Research Interest Group would be one of the first projects to get the axe under the new Governor's plan to reign in state spending to sustainable levels, but that is still no guarantee. With little information about Rauner's platform it is essential that opponents of this projects and supports of good state finances, environmental stewardship, and smart urban and regional planning make their voices heard immediately as Rauner takes office. There are only a few days left to sign this petition encouraging the Illinois legislature and executive offices to end support for the Illiana Tollroad. Only 70 more signatures are needed to get to 500 signatures and with that this petition can be declared successful and sent to Springfield. Please encourage your friends and family to sign. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-illinois-budget-met-0104-20141231-story.html#page=1