(Washington, D.C.) - Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) and the Illinois Policy Institute have released the 2008 Illinois Piglet Book, identifying $686 million in wasteful spending in the state budget.  This book combines elements of two perennial CAGW publications, the Congressional Pig Book and Prime Cuts, with the Illinois Policy Institute’s knowledge of the state budget.  Both organizations stress that as lawmakers continue to warn taxpayers of doomsday scenarios requiring higher taxes and fee to solve a cash crunch, state revenue has increased by nearly $5.5 billion (5.5% per year) from 2003-2007.  Moreover, lawmakers have shown little interest in cutting wasteful and unnecessary spending as they have passed major tax increases in the first three months of this year.

The $686 Million in Illinois Wasteful Spending includes:

• $4 million for a Ford Technical Training Center in Chicago Heights;
• $1 million for the Illinois film office in Chicago;
• $920,000 for the Chicago Aerospace Education Initiative;
• $550,000 for the conservation of pheasants;
• $500,000 to administer the tanning facility permit act;
• $156,000 to Southern Illinois University to refurnish cabins at the “Touch of Nature Environmental Center” at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale;
• $40,000 for the Springfield Figure Skating Club; and
• $35,000 for the Prairie Aviation Museum for a display gallery in Bloomington.

“Illinois has been ranked as having one of the worst economic outlooks due to its high taxes and irresponsible spending,” said Illinois Policy Institute President Greg Blankenship. “Budgets are about setting priorities and the time has come for lawmakers to put taxpayers first and eliminate this pork.”

“With a projected deficit of $1.8 billion, time is running out to protect the residents of Illinois from fiscal ruin,” said CAGW Vice President of Policy David Williams.

Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government. The Illinois Policy Institute is a nonpartisan research and education organization dedicated to making Illinois a beacon for liberty and prosperity for all citizens.