McLean County Times

This week, Illinois lawmakers faced a pressing deadline to move bills from the House to the Senate, sparking a flurry of legislative activity. While several topics were tackled, the issue of ethics reform was notably absent from the discussions on the House floor. Earlier this year, a powerful Illinois politician was convicted of corruption, and currently, a state senator is on trial for bribery. In light of these events, many considered it a crucial time for the state to reevaluate its ethics policies.

"Illnois is in serious need of reform," noted a statement from the House Republicans, who introduced a series of ethics reform bills. These proposals included a 72-hour public review period for budgets, a ban on using campaign funds for legal defense, and a 3-year lobbying ban for former members. However, the ruling party did not permit these bills to be deliberated.

In fiscal news, Illinois saw an upswing in tax receipts during March, led by an increase of $445 million in Personal Income Tax revenue. This was partly attributed to growth in withholding payments and a surge in final tax payments. However, funds from the federal government decreased by $213 million compared to the previous year. The state's budget-making process is ongoing, with the House Appropriations committees gathering testimony from state agencies.

In wildlife-related matters, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is advising residents to avoid handling wildlife, particularly young animals. The department emphasized that young birds and animals are typically still cared for by their parents. It also highlighted the legal implications under the Illinois Wildlife Code, which restricts keeping wild animals as pets due to the risk of disease transmission to humans.

In an effort to assist local emergency response services, the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced the recipients of the 2024 Small Equipment Grant Program. From 347 applications, 178 fire departments, fire protection districts, and EMS providers received grants up to $26,000. Among the recipients are several departments within Rep. Bunting's district.

The state's bill backlog currently stands at approximately $1.99 billion, an increase from last year's $1.3 billion. This figure only represents the bills ready for payment, excluding other obligations such as the state's significant pension liabilities.

In other state developments, the Illinois governor aims to cut funds for cover crops despite growing interest, while persistent violations of Scott’s Law continue despite long-term education efforts. Additionally, the EPA has introduced a Sharps Collection Grant for local governments.

For more information on handling wildlife, visit Wildlife Illinois.