Bad News for Arts Orgs in Illinois

As part of what’s being called the “most blatantly political budgetary veto in Illinois history,” Governor Rod Blagojevich is cutting into the IL budget for the Arts:

He drastically slashed funding for the Illinois Arts Council, chaired by Shirley Madigan, the House Speaker’s wife. At least $9 million was cut out of grants distributed by the Arts council, including a million dollars for the Illinois Channel and $1.5 million for Public Radio and TV grants.

According to the FY 06 annual report, that $9 million represents almost half of their total revenue.

The IAC has consistently been one of the best Arts Councils for funding literature, but it’s hard to imagine that continuing now . . .