The word change is sweeping the country like wildfire, but here in Illinois we've heard it all before. We have heard politicians talk about change and reform, but the people of Illinois end up getting more of the same.

The promise of change without specific solutions to the important problems that face Illinois families is like throwing a coin into a wishing well and expecting a winning lottery ticket in return. We all hope and dream for a lucky break, but it is not a way to plan for our families' futures and it is certainly no way to move Illinois forward. Change is needed within our government, especially here in Illinois. Regrettably, the change record within Illinois government has failed to live up to the rhetoric.

Just a few years ago, Gov. Rod Blagojevich promised Illinois voters change. A promise of change in the transparency of government, a promise to change business as usual and a promise to change the budget habits of Illinois government helped usher in a new Democrat-led era in Illinois.

Six years later, Illinois has experienced little change in those areas. Federal indictments have rained down at a furious pace against political insiders, ethics legislation that would help curb the notorious pay-to-play within government remains stalled in the Illinois Senate by the Democrat majority, spending has skyrocketed and tax increases continue to be the "only" solution to legislators' healthy appetite for government spending.

On Feb. 20, Blagojevich will give his sixth budget address, laying out his vision for the future of Illinois, at least for the next year. If history holds true, massive spending increases accompanied by tax increases will be at the heart of his agenda. Media reports have already outlined that his address will at the very least include higher taxes.

In light of this budget address and the voters' thirst for change, here are a few ideas that would certainly present change to Illinoisans; ideas you probably won't hear in Rod Blagojevich's budget address:

l Spending increases must stop, in fact, spending must decrease. The state of Illinois cannot pay its bills and is spiraling toward bankruptcy. Spending increases only compound the problem that our children and grandchildren will have to deal with years from now. It's time to turn off the spigot.

l What about tax cuts? What makes Illinois so unique that it can only solve its problems with tax increases? Recently the federal government, in an effort to curb a perceived economic downturn, passed a bi-partisan stimulus package that included tax cuts. If they can do it, why can we not?

l Comprehensive ethics legislation must get passed. For more than six months the Illinois Republican Party has called for the passage of the ethics package sitting in the Illinois Senate. Senate President Emil Jones refuses to call for a vote legislation that passed nearly unanimous of the House.

l An increased focus on transparency within state government. Illinois taxpayers deserve a system whereby they can obtain the complete details of government expenditures, contracts, and to whom those contracts are going.

It's a pretty safe bet you won't hear any of these ideas mentioned in Blagojevich's budget address. However, if the voters are really ready for change, shouldn't these ideas at least be considered?

Andy McKenna is the chairman of the Illinois Republican Party. He is president of Schwarz Paper Co. in Morton Grove and has been a business, civic and political leader in Illinois for more than 20 years.