Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, Sept. 10th, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.
ICASH Event with Senator Tom Bennett
See if you are owed money, and to receive help filing a claim.
Metamora Village Hall
102 N. Davenport St., Metamora, IL
Illinois Unemployment Remains 3rd Highest in Nation as Governor Travels the Country
Illinoisans continue to struggle to make ends meet as the rising cost of groceries and other daily necessities puts a strain on family budgets. But as the state’s unemployment rate remains the third highest in the nation, Governor JB Pritzker has focused his energy on traveling across the country to raise his national profile.
This has prompted members of the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus to renew calls for Pritzker to put his national ambitions on hold and focus on Illinois.
They highlight several issues plaguing the state under Pritzker’s leadership, including raising taxes by nearly a billion dollars to fund spending more than a billion dollars per year on programs for non-citizens. They also point to the rising crime rates across the state, including a 60% increase in major crimes in Chicago since 2019, with more than 100 shootings occurring over the July 4th weekend.
Senator Bennett said that the people of Illinois are tired of being seen as little more than a piggy bank to fund the Governor’s progressive agenda. He/she is calling on the Governor to “Think Illinois” and shift his focus back to Illinois and prioritize improving the lives of its residents.
Hypocrisy on Display as Democrats Prepare to Converge in Chicago
The hypocrisy of Illinois Democrats is on full display as many of the same lawmakers set to make Vice President Kamala Harris the Democratic nominee for president after President Joe Biden was forced out of the race, recently voted to change state election rules in Illinois to block candidate slating.
This spring, the Democratic supermajority in Springfield passed legislation to prevent candidates from being appointed to the ballot after the primary election, a process similar to that now being used to nominate Harris.
Within 48 hours, Governor Pritzker signed the bill into law, despite initially claiming he hadn’t read it and labeling it an “ethics bill” saying “it really does make sure that we don’t have backroom deals to put people on the ballot and run as a result of some small group of people in a smoke-filled room making the choice.”
Critics, including good government groups, condemned the law as a power grab aimed at reducing voter choice because it changed the rules for an election process that was already underway. The Illinois law was found unconstitutional by a Sangamon County Judge, a ruling that has been appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court.
However, less than 48 hours after President Biden dropped out of the race, Governor Pritzker endorsed slating Vice President Harris, a move similar to the one he previously criticized. The situation raises questions about the hypocrisy of Illinois Democrats’ actions and their commitment to fair electoral processes. Voters tuning into the DNC should be aware of the hypocrisy of Governor Pritzker and his allies.
DCEO Launches $42 Million Regional Site Readiness Program to Boost Industrial Development
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has allocated $42 million to launch the Regional Site Readiness Program.
This endeavor aims to enhance the readiness of potential industrial sites across Illinois, bolstering the state’s capacity to attract investments and create new job opportunities. This funding comes from the 2019 Rebuild Illinois program. Planning grants up to $150,000 and Capital Ready grants up to $3 million are available, with applications open until October 21, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
For more information on applying and to view the Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), please visit the DCEO website. Assistance with applications can be obtained by contacting CEO.GrantHelp@illinois.gov.
How much do we owe?
As of the time of this writing, the State of Illinois owes $1,180,616,027.04 to state vendors, including 13,851 pending vouchers. This figure represents the amount of bills submitted to the office of the Comptroller and still awaiting payment. It does not include debts that can only be estimated, such as our unfunded pension liability which is subject to a wide range of factors and has been estimated to be more than $139 billion. At the same time last year, the state’s accounts payable stood at a little less than $2 billion.
Did You Know?
The first week of August is dedicated to National Exercise with Your Child Week, a celebration that promotes family fitness and active lifestyles.
The U.S. Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth revealed concerning statistics: only 20% of children ages 6-17 limit their screen time to 2 hours or less per day, and just 25% engage in the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Established in 2010, this week-long initiative encourages parents and caregivers to engage in physical activities with their children, underscoring the significant benefits of regular exercise for both immediate and long-term health.
For more guidance and to find registered exercise professionals in your community, use the US Registry of Exercise Professionals by clicking here https://bit.ly/3vHOheM
This Week in the 53rd District
Working full-time to represent you!
