Illinois advocates for the arts say Governor Bruce Rauner's plan for more budget cuts is bad policy.
Since 2007, the budget for the Illinois Arts Council Agency has already been cut in half. Under Rauner's guidance, it would drop another 20 percent, down 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 should be increased instead. Rauner has proposed cutting the budgets of most state agencies. He remains at a stalemate with the legislature.
