August 11, 2009

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois House of Representatives

96th General Assembly

Today, I return House Bill 758 with my specific recommendations for change.  I thank the sponsors for their hard work and the members of the General Assembly for passing this bill.  Furthermore, I recognize that many advocates and members of the General Assembly have fought long and hard for this change. 

This bill will ensure that reimbursement funds from the Federal Matching Assistance Percentage within the Community Mental Health Medicaid Trust Fund and the Community Developmental Disabilities Trust Fund are reinvested into care and services for persons with developmental disabilities and mental health issues.  House Bill 758 is to be effective upon becoming law.  However, during this period of unprecedented financial strain, any legislation that prevents funds from going into the General Revenue Fund (GRF) will pose grave problems for the State’s immediate fiscal condition.  There is simply no other way for the state to make up the lost GRF revenue at this time.  Accordingly, I am recommending that the effective date of this bill be changed to July 1, 2012, in order to allow the state time to improve its financial health.   

Therefore, pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(e) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 758, entitled “AN ACT concerning State government.”, with the following specific recommendation for change:

on page 6, line 10, by replacing “upon” with “July 1, 2012.”; and

on page 6, by deleting line 11.

With these changes, House Bill 758 will have my approval.  I respectfully request your concurrence. 

Sincerely,

PAT QUINN

Governor