Macon Reporter

With only two weeks remaining, Illinois lawmakers are grappling with an $800 million budget shortfall. State Rep. Dan Caulkins expressed his constituents' concerns over proposed tax increases to cover new spending. "Chicago’s imploding…Johnson was here asking for a $100 million plus…CPS is asking for $50 billion, I don’t think the people in my district really care to do that," Caulkins said.

The Center Square reported Deputy Gov. Andy Manar's request for state agency directors to prepare for reduced revenue availability. "Manar said it has “become clear that opposition to proposed revenue is significant enough to direct agencies to prepare for the possibility of reductions to proposed spending” and “we must prepare to implement a potential balanced budget scenario with $800 million less in available revenue.”

In Springfield last week, Democrats ended the session early on Thursday and canceled Friday's session, slowing down bill debates on the House floor. Committee work continued with evaluation of more Senate bills, lingering House bills of interest to Democrats, and some amendments.

One amendment passed out of the Labor and Commerce Committee would allow assistant state’s attorneys to unionize—an expansion that Caulkins believes Illinois does not need. He warned that Chicago Democrats could manipulate the budget to their advantage.

The impending crisis involves Chicago's Police and Fire pension systems running out of funds within 6-8 years, as outlined in a report by Terry Savage, a nationally syndicated financial columnist. Tier 2 pension issues have also been raised this session, causing taxpayers much concern.

Meanwhile, The Higher Education Appropriations Committee spent hours discussing a new funding program based on student demographics. Critics worry about taxpayer money being used for personal educational supports such as food, housing, and childcare.

As companies continue losing money due to electric vehicle (EV) experimentation, Governor Pritzker announced up to $827 million in incentives for Rivian—an EV startup—to expand its local plant and hire 550 employees. This move has been criticized as the largest corporate tax incentive in Illinois' history.

Chicago is preparing for mass demonstrations around the Democrat National Convention in August, with potential protesters outnumbering convention attendees. Gov. Pritzker’s office has reportedly asked local police and sheriff departments to augment security details for the event.

Finally, May is Military Appreciation Month, a time to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The state of Illinois also recognizes popcorn as its official snack food, grown on 47,000 acres by 333 farms across the state.