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
Sen. Tom Bennett Filed Legislation to Restore Critical Funding for Soil and Water Conservation Districts
In response to a significant reduction in funding for soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget, State Sen. Tom Bennett filed a bill aimed at restoring the $4 million cut in funding through the Partners for Conservation Fund. This will help ensure that these vital districts will receive the support they need to continue their essential work in protecting and conserving natural resources.
“Funding for soil and water conservation districts is not just an investment in our environment, but also in our future,” said Senator Bennett. “These districts are on the front lines of preserving our natural resources, ensuring clean water, and supporting sustainable agriculture.”
The FY25 budget reduced funding for SWCDs by $4 million compared to FY24 appropriations. This reduction threatens to undermine the districts’ ability to effectively manage soil erosion, improve water quality, and maintain sustainable agricultural practices.
Senate Bill 3964, filed by Senator Bennett, addresses this issue by appropriating funds through the Partners for Conservation Fund, emphasizing the critical role SWCDs play in the environment.
“By restoring funding to our soil and water conservation districts, we are laying the groundwork for a healthier environment and stronger communities,” said Senator Bennett.
Illinois Receives Nearly Half a Billion Dollars in Federal Pollution Reduction Grant
The State of Illinois was recently awarded more than $430 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) for its Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program application. The funding will be utilized for building and industry decarbonization, freight electrification, climate-smart agriculture, and renewable energy deployment.
According to the state’s grant application, the state will implement projects that include dedicating:
- $115 million for heavy-duty vehicle electrification,
- $172 million to improve access and affordability for clean building technologies, and
- more than $111 to improve access and affordability for clean building technologies.
The U.S. EPA stated that these projects would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 971 million metric tons by 2050, equivalent to the emissions of about five million homes over 25 years. The grant will help support and offset some costs associated with the state’s ongoing goal of reaching 100 percent carbon-free power by 2045.
Nearly 300 applications were submitted nationwide for the project implementation grants, but only 25 grants totaling $4.3 billion were awarded by the U.S. EPA. The State of Illinois received the third-largest grant award.
Illinois DMV Services Disrupted by Global Technology Outage
A global technology outage affected all 138 DMV locations in Illinois recently, disrupting services across the state.
A routine update from the cybersecurity company CrowdStrike to Microsoft on its Windows devices triggered an enormous national technological outage on July 19. This led to widespread chaos that affected global businesses ranging from airports and banks to retail and law enforcement. This incident highlighted the weaknesses of a computerized world that is critically dependent on a few suppliers such as Microsoft.
Illinois residents are advised to verify the operational status of their desired DMV facility by calling 800-252-8980. Additionally, residents could expedite their services by visiting www.ilsos.gov to complete tasks online.
How much do we owe?
As of the time of this writing, the State of Illinois owes $902,552,616.63 to state vendors, including 10,397 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?
This year, Illinois has experienced more than 100 tornado incidents, doubling the state’s typical annual average.
The recent outbreak underscores escalating weather volatility in the region. Notably, earlier this month, the National Weather Service in Chicago issued 16 tornado warnings in a single day, the highest number since 2004.
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) warns residents that severe weather can occur at any time of the year. They emphasize that preparing for floods, tornadoes, and severe thunderstorms before they strike is important for safety.
Senate Republicans are urging Illinois residents to be prepared for severe weather. For more information on how to prepare for all hazards, visit the IEMA website for resources and guidelines.
This Week in the 53rd District
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