McLean County Times

State revenue in Illinois experienced a decline in November compared to the previous year, according to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. Income tax revenue dropped by $113 million, with sales tax revenues also falling by $20 million. This decrease in revenue can be attributed to job losses and a drop in tax payments from investment income and other non-paycheck sources.

However, it's worth noting that personal income tax payments had been up in the first four months of the state's fiscal year. This additional revenue allowed the state to cover the increased spending outlined in the new state budget. With a narrow margin for error, Illinois has limited flexibility to accommodate declines in revenue like the one observed last month.

In other news, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is currently seeking snowplow drivers for the winter season. Last winter, IDOT spread over 318,000 tons of salt and plowed more than 17,000 miles of roads throughout the state. Interested individuals can apply for snowplow driver positions on the Illinois jobs website.

Representative Bunting recently hosted the second Law Enforcement Advisory Committee meeting at the Livingston County Jail. Discussions during the meeting centered around staffing and recruitment, the SAFE-T Act, Illinois' assault weapons ban, and various scams circulating within the community. The representative expressed gratitude to those who attended the meeting, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and the community.

Additionally, Representative Bunting will be hosting Traveling Office Hours in Ford and Iroquois County later this month. These events bring the services of the district office directly to constituents' hometowns. On December 19, the representative will be at Tea and Grounds at the Railside Golf Course in Gibson City from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. In the afternoon of the same day, the representative will be at the Gathering in Gilman from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Similar office hours are scheduled for Piper City and Cissna Park after the start of the new year.

As the year comes to a close, Representative Bunting extends warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The representative reflects on the honor of serving as a voice in Springfield and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to represent constituents. This holiday season is a time for joy, reflection, and solidarity with those less fortunate and those serving overseas to protect our freedoms.

In terms of the state's financial situation, the current bill backlog stands at $1,307,403,526. This figure represents unpaid bills submitted to the Illinois Comptroller for payment. It does not include unfunded debts such as the state's pension liability, which exceeds $100 billion.

In other news around Illinois, Governor Pritzker recently signed a measure allowing for the use of new small-scale nuclear technology in the state. This development aims to diversify Illinois' energy sources and promote clean and sustainable energy production.

Lastly, authorities in Illinois have issued a warning about a scam targeting seniors. The police urge residents, especially older individuals, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to prevent financial losses.

These are some of the recent updates and news happening in Illinois as shared by Representative Bunting. For more information and to stay updated on state government news, visit repbunting.com.

To find out more, go to this link: https://repbunting.com/2023/12/15/rep-buntings-springfield-news-update-for-december-15/