McLean County Times

Governor Pritzker delivered his 2025 State of the State Address before a joint session of the Illinois House and Senate, outlining budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. The address focused on national issues, which some lawmakers, including Rep. Bunting, found underwhelming. Bunting expressed disappointment that the Governor did not concentrate more on state-specific matters such as property tax reduction and estate tax reform.

Bunting criticized the proposed $2 billion increase in spending, which includes over $100 million allocated for health benefits for undocumented immigrants. He argued that these expenditures would be funded through new taxes and financial transfers. Bunting emphasized the need to improve Illinois' business climate, create jobs, and implement ethics reforms while enhancing education.

In other news, National FFA Week is being celebrated to honor the contributions of future leaders in agriculture. The Illinois Department on Aging is accepting nominations for the Senior Illinoisans’ Hall of Fame until June 2, 2025. Eligible nominees must be at least 65 years old and have made significant contributions in various fields.

The state's bill backlog stands at over $2 billion, reflecting unpaid bills submitted to the Comptroller's office for payment when funds become available. This does not include unfunded debts like pension liabilities exceeding $100 billion.

Recent headlines reveal that Illinois lost a significant number of residents in 2024 according to moving company data. Additionally, pension payments have ceased for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan following legal issues. A heart attack survivor from Illinois is advocating for CPR awareness while Iroquois County's Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan is open for public review. The Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission is also seeking members for its advisory group.