Inside:
- Tyson Foods closing facility in Rock Island County
- Analysis confirms that state budget relies on new taxes and diversions
- Legislation signed to help prevent human trafficking
- Around the 71st District
Tyson Foods closing facility in Rock Island County
I was shocked and disappointed to hear the news that Tyson Foods is closing a plant in northeastern Rock Island County, just outside the 71st District. The closure will result in the loss of more than 2500 jobs and will have many ripple effects for the entire area.
Local leaders are already at work, seeking ways to re-purpose the facility so that a new employer could be brought in to preserve jobs. This week I joined with the other members of the House who represent Rock Island County to meet with representatives of several state agencies to discuss our continued efforts to assist impacted employees, mitigate industry interruptions and spur plant re-purposing.
In the short term, we are working to identify immediate resources for the impacted workers. We also discussed long-term strategies to mitigate the impact of the facility’s closure on the Quad Cities’ economy. I was encouraged to hear that state agencies are mobilizing safety net services and employment transition supports, as well as planning several rapid-response events for displaced workers. The first such job fair has been announced for Wednesday September 2.
We will all need to work together in the weeks and months ahead to ensure a positive outcome for our communities and those who have lost their jobs.
Analysis confirms that state budget relies on new taxes and diversions
The recently enacted state budget for the fiscal year which began July 1 was submitted to the non-partisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability for analysis, and that watchdog agency has now reported back that the budget is only balanced because of $800 million in new taxes and diversions.
The state budget spends $54.946 billion, making it the biggest-spending state budget bill in Illinois history. To find the money to keep up with all the additional spending, supporters came up with almost $800 million in new revenues, such as new taxes or diversions from other sources – a tactic better known as “fund sweeps.” Fund sweeps and new taxes allow irresponsible politicians to spend more money than the state is projected to bring in.
I voted No.
The new revenue comes from a variety of sources. The changes to the state’s revenue laws included a digital assets tax, a tax on targeted advertising services, a tax on prediction markets, changes to the distribution of sales taxes and much more. Some of these changes are being challenged in court.
While this allows Springfield to collect and spend more money, it does nothing to address the long-term problems with the state’s budget – problems which are only going to get worse the longer they are ignored. Simply spending more and taxing more each year is not sustainable.
Legislation signed to help prevent human trafficking
A bill has been signed to help prevent human trafficking by placing information about resources in all Illinois highway rest area restrooms.
This change to the law is important because in many cases those who are being trafficked do not have the opportunity to get away from traffickers except in restrooms. Placing this information in such a location can help victims learn to how get help when they are not potentially being watched by traffickers.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline recently received more than 50,000 contacts in a single year, which is a clear sign of the need for making this information available. The resources can be utilized by those who are being trafficked, but also by bystanders who see the signs and want to help.
The bill, House Bill 4654, passed both houses unanimously. The signs must be in place by January 1.
Around the 71st District
Saturday was a bit soggy, but I made it out to the 31st Annual Galesburg Heritage Days. It is always fun visiting with the re-enactors, enjoying some old fashion root beer and watching/hearing the fife & drum corps perform.
Afterwards, I made my way to Monmouth to speak on the Warren County Museum honoring Warren County on their 200th birthday. The museum was a perfect setting to talk about the great history and pride of Warren County as it has engaged and grown on the Illinois Western Frontier.
I then traveled to Galva to participate with the Galva American Legion and performed duties on the firing squad during the opening ceremony of the Back Roads Music Festival. I’ve done this for a few years, but this was certainly the wettest with a great deal of water. Because of limited parking at the park, we rode in the Galva American Legion hog trailer. Fortunately, 1SG Anderson washed it before the ride. Congratulations to all the festival volunteers for getting everything set-up and a great show.
We then attended the monthly Gather and Grill at the Orion Park. This is a potluck hosted on a rotational basis by area churches. There was a large crowd with many children playing in the beautiful Orion Park.
More news
Rock Island 17-year-old wins first Illinois Best Bagger Competition, heads to national championship
DCFS: ‘Significant miscommunication’ within the agency led to missed court dates
ILPEA plant manager on Galesburg jobs deal
New robotic procedure to test for lung cancer comes to Galesburg