"Think of how big of a hole we are in," Ralph Martire, director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability told us yesterday. "We just raised $7 billion [in new tax revenues] and there's no money to enhance funding for education, public safety, and human services."

Indeed, it will be several years before Illinois erases what could grow into a $15 billion deficit this spring. Democrats in Springfield knew that when they pushed through a politically unpopular revenue package earlier this week. And to protect their hides, Democratic leaders have already started promoting the ways in which state government plans to pinch pennies over the next two years. Last session, the Assembly passed controversial pension and Medicaid reforms, changes members argue will reduce costs. There's the strict expenditure cap they included in the tax hike bill. While that will provide some room to increase spending marginally over the next four years (to keep up with inflation), it could be consumed by increases in Medicaid enrollment and pension and debt service obligations, thereby forcing cuts in other core services. Permanent spending caps could be debated, too. And Gov. Pat Quinn, according to the Tribune, will soon announce the creation of a bipartisan committee that will be asked to recommend $500 million in state program cuts per year.

House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) set the new tone in Springfield yesterday. "We have to learn to live within our means," he told the newest crop of House members. "And that’s going to require courage. That’s going to require people to say 'No.'” Watch his speech below:

While austerity measures will help Illinois close its operating deficit, it sure won't solve the state's glaring investment deficit, a problem you won't see discussed much in the media's latest reporting on the tax measure. Stated frankly, Illinois does not spend very much money on human services and education. School officials at virtually every level agree that Illinois shortchanges K-12 districts, state colleges and universities, and students seeking financial aid. The reimbursement rates the state pays to doctors and health care providers who treat Medicaid patients is embarrassingly low. When adjusted for inflation, the Illinois Department of Human Services is working with over $1 billion less in real dollars than they had just 10 years ago, which means fewer resources are devoted to people with mental illness and developmental disabilities. These are very real problems that still require a real, permanent solution.