(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting & Accountability has increased its fiscal year 2026 general funds revenue estimate by $686 million, or 1.2%. The ICGFA’s latest report says personal income tax revenues are up $685 million through the end of February, after accounting for tax refunds and local government distributions. Corporate income tax receipts are a net $158 million lower than last year. Sales tax receipts are up $338 million.
(SPRINGFIELD) A Republican candidate for the Illinois House says the public deserves full transparency after State Representative Harry Benton, a Democrat from Plainfield, was removed from the House Democratic Caucus and stripped of his committee assignments. Candidate Gabby Shanahan released a statement saying two weeks of silence are not acceptable after such extraordinary actions were taken against a sitting lawmaker. No response from Benton’s office.
(SPRINGFIELD) Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary statewide total of 882 wild turkeys during the 2025-2026 fall archery turkey season. The State DNR the two top turkey-harvesting counties were in our downstate area, Fayette with 33 birds taken and Jefferson with 32 turkey’s harvested. All 102 counties in Illinois were open for hunting last October through mid-January.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association says voting is now open in the 2026 edition of a contest to determine “The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois.” More than 100 products were nominated for the Makers Madness bracket-style tournament. Online voting decides which products advance to the Top 16 now through March 22nd. Go to makersmadnessil.com.