© 2024 WNIJ and WNIU
Northern Public Radio
801 N 1st St.
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-9000
Northern Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Illinois Arts Advocacy Leader Condemns Governor's Plans

ARTSALLIANCE.ORG

Illinois advocates for the arts say Gov. Bruce Rauner's plan for more budget cuts is bad policy. 

Since 2007, the budget for the Illinois Arts Council was already cut in half. Under Rauner, it would drop to $8 million.

Ra Joy heads an organization that represents hundreds of artists and cultural groups in the state. He says another cut would hurt education and tourism:

"If we're really going to be serious about making Illinois more competitive and more compassionate, we need to be serious about investment in the arts and our broader creative sector," Joy said.

Joy says funding for the arts should be increased because it helps education and tourism.

Joy is also critical of Rauner, who "earlier this calendar year called for a 20 percent cut to the Art Council's already pathetic budget, which would drop Illinois to 30th in the nation in per capita investment in culture."

Rauner proposed cutting the budgets of most state agencies. He remains at a stalemate with the legislature.

Rachel's reports currently focus on education and equity. She's also reported extensively on arts, community & diverse culture.