(SPRINGFIELD) In his State Budget Address yesterday in Springfield, Governor J.B. Pritzker has proposed an increase in spending by about $2 billion without any new income or service taxes in the upcoming fiscal year. With spending and revenues expected to grow by about 3% each under the budget plan, the total general revenue fund spending would grow to $55.2 billion. The Governor and lawmakers will to agree on a budget by the end of May.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Governor is catching flack for his reference to Nazi Germany in the state budget address yesterday when criticizing President Donald Trump. In fact, more than five minutes of Pritzker’s speech focused on the history of Nazi Germany with a total of six references to Nazis as compared to the election of Donald Trump to the White House. After the address, State Representative Adam Niemerg called the rhetoric both dangerous and juvenile. Other downstate lawmakers, including State Representatives Blaine Wilhour & Brad Halbrook, along with State Senators Jason Plummer and Chapin Rose, said such rhetoric was not fit for airing in the General Assembly and that the state budget address was no place for political issues, but should have been all about the citizens of Illinois.
(SPRINGFIELD) Utility regulators at the Illinois Commerce Comission are expected to issue a final decision today in the year-long investigation into the Peoples Gas pipe replacement program. It was in November 2023 that the ICC paused the program and ordered the inquiry due to delays, cost-overruns, and other concerns that the program was not properly prioritizing safety risks. Consumer advocates said the decision will not immediately reset rates, but could have a significant impact on the future of Peoples Gas rates.
(SPRINGFIELD) Legislation has been introduced in Springfield that would ensure that every Illinois mother that has private or Medicaid insurance has access to a car seat and crib after the birth of their child. Insurance companies would be required to reimburse new mothers for the purchase of an approved car seat or crib, or provide a car seat or crib directly to them. The bill apparently has statewide bipartisan support at the State Capitol.