Inside:
- Gov. Pritzker outlines budget priorities, blames Washington
- Moody’s issues gloomy prediction for Illinois employment, population
- Several resolutions honor good causes
- Visiting future leaders in Macomb
Gov. Pritzker outlines budget priorities, blames Washington
Governor Pritzker came to the Capitol to deliver his annual State of the State address, which also included his proposed state budget for the upcoming fiscal year. As the Governor turns his attention beyond Illinois to a national audience, he sought to place the blame for Illinois’ tough fiscal situation on the federal government, rather than state policies.
In spite of the Governor’s claims, Illinois’ fiscal problems are not due to recent cuts from Washington. They are the result of year after year of overspending while pursuing policies which drive away job creators. Governor Pritzker just signed into law the biggest spending bill in state history. It broke the spending record he set only one year before. No amount of finger-pointing at Capitol Hill can change the fact that Illinois simply spends too much money.
It was good to hear the Governor admit that we need fiscal restraint this year. I hope he follows through as the budget process develops, and I look forward to working with him if he does.
I liked what the Governor had to say about the need for building new homes. But in our area, the single largest factor in making homeownership affordable is property taxes – something which the Governor did not touch upon at all. Until the General Assembly addresses property taxes and removes red tape affecting our local governments and schools, homeownership won’t be affordable. Forcing local governments to raise property taxes by cutting their funding through the Local Government Distributive Fund– which the Governor proposes to do – will likely make this problem worse, not better.
Moody’s issues gloomy prediction for Illinois employment, population
Moody’s Analytics prepared a report for Illinois’ Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability about the economic forecast in the state. It did not paint a pretty picture.
The “State of Illinois Economic Forecast Report” projects an overall negative trajectory for the state’s economy. It relies on data from the last half of 2025, which showed a continued decline in population trends and a lack of new jobs being created in Illinois. Young adults are more often seeking careers or advancement elsewhere. The report stated that, “Illinois’ economy will underperform the Midwest and the U.S. in the coming year.”
The report called attention to declines in Illinois’ remaining heavy industry production, such as farm equipment, construction equipment and off-road vehicles. As demand for these products declines, it leads to layoffs and unfilled factory positions. The decline also affects manufacturers of parts for these large items, creating a ripple effect in the supply chain.
It is another warning about Illinois’ uncompetitive tax and regulatory system which puts the state at a disadvantage when compared to our neighbors.
Several resolutions honor good causes
This year I am sponsoring several resolutions to honor good causes in Illinois and to help bring attention and awareness to difficult conditions which too many Illinoisans experience.
House Resolution 613 designates the first week of May as Read With Your Child Week in Illinois. There are few greater gifts a parent or grandparent can give to a child than the gift of literacy. Childhood literacy opens countless doors and opportunities for a lifetime. This resolution encourages all Illinois schools to promote Read With Your Child Week this spring, but reading with children should be a year-round project. Readers make leaders!
House Resolution 614 designates the month of May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month to call attention to this tick-borne illness, its symptoms and treatments, and how you can avoid becoming infected. It also calls upon the federal government to allocate more funding toward finding a cure for Lyme disease.
Lastly, House Resolution 619 declares Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month in August. It encourages continuing research on spinal muscular atrophy and community support for those affected by the disease.
Visiting future leaders in Macomb
I recently had the pleasure to join Rep. Norine Hammond as we visited with the Macomb Youth Leadership Organization (MYLO) students. It is always a learning experience for me to hear what is on the mind of young people.
MYLO is a group of 14 sophomores at Macomb High School who spend the year learning about their community by spending one day a month participating in tours and other community activities. The day we visited was Local Government day.
Thank you students and to Shelby Carlson, 4-H Youth Development Educator, for hosting this event for future leaders!
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