McLean County Times

State Representative Bunting has addressed several issues in his latest update. He is advocating for the restoration of local control over wind and solar projects, stating that these projects have significant local effects. "An issue that I have heard about from countless local officials and constituents has to do with local control over wind and solar projects," he said. Bunting has introduced House Bill 1201, which aims to give local governments a voice in these projects by reinstating county zoning ordinances related to wind farms and commercial energy facilities that were in effect before January 27, 2023. The bill is currently awaiting committee assignment.

In other state news, voting has begun on a new Illinois state flag. A commission selected ten finalist designs from nearly 5,000 public submissions. Illinois residents can vote on these finalists or choose to keep the current flag or select one of two historical designs. The public vote is advisory, and the Illinois Flag Commission will submit its recommendation to the General Assembly by April 1.

A report from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability warns of a stagnant economy in Illinois. It noted that "Illinois metro areas have lagged behind most of the nation in GDP growth since 2019." While there was an increase in personal income tax payments last December, this was attributed to an accounting quirk rather than economic improvement.

The state's unpaid bills currently total over $2.2 billion, up from $1.8 billion at this time last year. This amount only includes bills submitted for payment, excluding unfunded debts like pension liabilities exceeding $100 billion.