For governors cutting education and health care and going after public-sector employees to balance budgets, here’s a message from Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn: You’re wrong. Not mistaken, not misinformed.

“Just plain wrong,” said Quinn, 62, during an interview with Bloomberg in his Chicago office. “I don’t buy into all these radical cuts in government as a way to make life better for ordinary, everyday people.”

According to data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the upcoming fiscal year (FY2012) could be one of the most difficult budget years on record, with 44 states and the District of Columbia projecting budget shortfalls totaling $112 billion.

In February, Quinn presented a 2012 budget proposal at least $1 billion out of balance. James Nowlan, a senior fellow at the University of Illinois’ Institute of Government and Public Affairs, said it reflected the priorities of a man “whose every bone aches to do good for little people.

“Pat just can’t say no to people’s needs,” Nowlan said in a telephone interview. “That’s a part of who he is.”

Under Quinn, a Democrat, Illinois spent $5.6 billion in the past two fiscal years to repair 3,240 miles of roadway and upgrade 472 bridges. Republicans and some Democrats argue the culture of spending must change.

“He’s out of touch with economic reality and out of touch with national and state finances,” said Douglas Whitley, president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.

Quinn said there has to be “a moral dimension to the operation of our government.”

“Where there is no vision, the people perish,” he told reporters at a Chicago news conference Jan. 25, quoting the Old Testament Book of Proverbs.