Fuzzy Math and Record Spending
Governor J.B. Pritzker’s budget address drew mixed reactions, even from usual supporters, while Senate Republicans condemned the record $55.4 billion spending plan, the largest in state history. If passed, it would mark a 37% increase in annual state spending since he took office, far outpacing the growth of the average family’s income.
Adding to the skepticism, just weeks earlier, the Governor’s budget office projected a $3.2 billion deficit. They now claim they’ve “found” more than $2 billion in additional revenue. With no official economic report to support the claim, critics labeled it “fuzzy math,” calling for transparency.
The budget also includes tax hikes on businesses, costs that would inevitably hit consumers. Compounding concerns, the Majority Party has revived a progressive tax plan that would make future income tax increases even easier, especially if revenue projections fall short.
For years, Senate Republicans have urged Gov. Pritzker to stop spending over $1 billion annually on free healthcare and other programs for noncitizens and prioritize struggling Illinois families. While his proposal to cut $400 million from the program is a step in the right direction, many remain skeptical. Republicans say they’ll believe it when they see it and will continue holding him accountable because Illinoisans deserve leaders who put their needs first, not empty promises.
Economic concerns remain front and center. Since Gov. Pritzker took office in 2019, Illinois has lost nearly 60,000 jobs and now has the third-highest unemployment rate in the nation. In 2024 alone, the state saw a 25% spike in manufacturing layoffs, with over 13,000 layoff notices issued. Critics argue these numbers highlight why more government spending isn’t the solution.
Many also criticized the speech’s tone, describing it as more of a campaign pitch aimed at national attention than a serious plan to tackle Illinois’ challenges. State Senator Sally Turner says that Republicans at the table during this spring’s budget negations.
Senator Sally Turner Pushes for Long-Overdue Action on Lincoln Developmental Center
Last week, State Senator Sally Turner joined Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch to discuss long-awaited efforts to address the abandoned Lincoln Developmental Center (LDC) site. The facility, which has sat vacant since its closure in 2002, has become a blight on the community, deterring economic growth and leaving residents frustrated.
Since taking office four years ago, Senator Sally Turner has been actively working to find a real solution for the site. This legislative session, she filed two bills to tackle the issue, one to transfer the property to the City of Lincoln so local leaders can determine its future and another to require the state to evaluate and demolish rundown facilities like LDC.
Senator Sally Turner says this is the closest the state has come to real progress on the issue in a very long time. She notes that for years, legislators have tried to do something about the site, and now there is finally a potential path forward. While she has concerns about other aspects of the Governor’s proposed budget, she strongly supports the inclusion of a Regional Site Readiness and Surplus to Success programs, which could provide critical funding to address the LDC site and other neglected state properties across Illinois. She plans to advocate for keeping this initiative in the final version of the budget set to be passed in May.
Senator Turner says that while this new funding proposal is a step in the right direction, there is still work to be done to ensure that Logan County receives the investment and opportunities it deserves.
Madigan’s Conviction Exposes Illinois’ Broken System
For decades, former House Speaker Michael Madigan ran Illinois like a criminal enterprise, prioritizing power, patronage, and pay-to-play politics over the public good. His conviction on corruption charges marks a historic moment in the state’s long battle with political misconduct, a victory for justice that also underscores the urgent need for long-overdue reforms in Illinois government.
As both Speaker of the Illinois House and Chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party, Madigan wielded immense influence, operating what critics have called a political crime syndicate built on backroom deals, patronage, and cronyism—all at taxpayers’ expense. His conviction is both a reckoning and a stark reminder of the deeply entrenched corruption that has plagued Illinois for decades.
Illinois has been marred by corruption scandals at every level of government, wasting taxpayer dollars, eroding public trust, and empowering political insiders at the expense of hardworking families. From governors to local officials, a legacy of self-dealing and political misconduct has weakened governance and hindered the state’s progress.
State Senator Sally Turner sees the verdict as a critical step toward accountability but believes more must be done. She continues to push for stronger ethics laws and greater oversight to prevent public officials from enriching themselves at taxpayers’ expense. With real reforms and a commitment to transparency, Illinois can move beyond its history of corruption and build a government that truly serves its people.
Last Chance: Apply Now for Illinois Fire Station Construction Grants!
The Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for the new Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Grant Program. The program offers grants of up to $350,000 for fire stations across the state to aid in the construction or rehabilitation of their facilities. A total of $5 million is available to support fire departments.
Applications must be electronically submitted or postmarked by February 28, 2025.
To qualify, fire departments must have an active registration with SAM.gov and be registered with the state’s Grantee Portal. Additionally, applicants must be NFIRS compliant for at least the last two years, covering incidents reported from December 2022 to November 2024.
For more information about the grant program and to apply, visit sfm.illinois.gov/iam/firedepartment/grants-and-loans.html.
Illinois Seniors Can Save Big – Apply for Property Tax Deferral Today!
The Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program offers qualified seniors the opportunity to defer property taxes on their primary residences, helping to reduce financial stress and provide peace of mind. Seniors in Illinois may qualify for up to $7,500 in property tax deferral, and applications are now open.
Seniors who need assistance with property taxes should apply by March 1st at their local County Collector’s Office. This program allows taxpayers who qualify to defer a maximum of $7,500 per tax year, which can cover both the first and second installment payments of property taxes. Deferred amounts are borrowed from the state, which will pay the tax bill directly to the county collector’s office.
Key Points:
- The deferred property taxes are subject to a 3% simple interest rate per year.
- A lien will be placed on the property for all deferred tax payments and interest.
- Interest on the deferred amount is due upon the homeowner’s death, when the home is transferred, or if the homeowner decides to pay off the deferred taxes earlier.
Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be 65 years of age or older before June 1 of the year the application is filed.
- Have a total annual household income of $65,000 or less.
- Have owned and occupied the property for at least the last three years.
- Own the property, or share joint ownership with a spouse, or be the sole beneficiary (or both the property owner and spouse as sole beneficiaries) of an Illinois land trust.
- Have no unpaid property taxes or special assessments on the property.
- Have adequate insurance against fire or casualty loss.
How to Apply: Eligible seniors must reach out to their local County Collector’s Office to obtain the application. Completed applications must be submitted to the office by March 1 of each year in which the applicant wishes to defer property taxes or special assessments.
For more information, seniors should contact their local County Collector’s Office directly.