McLean County Times

The Chicago Tribune recently highlighted the sluggish progress of the Illinois General Assembly in reforming the state's ethics laws. Since Governor Pritzker assumed office in 2019, eleven state lawmakers have faced convictions or pled guilty to various crimes. "Of course, the biggest corruption story this spring was the federal conviction of former Speaker of the House Mike Madigan." The Tribune points out that with merely a month remaining in the session, the Democrats leading the statehouse have yet to advance ethics reform significantly, and Governor Pritzker has avoided addressing the issue publicly.

The call for reform is pressing, with proposals such as banning the use of campaign funds for legal defense and extending the waiting period for legislators before they become lobbyists. The need is to develop a comprehensive bipartisan bill that addresses these issues adequately.

In a related economic context, Illinois's reputation for high taxes and unemployment, attributed to overregulation and excessive taxation, came under discussion. "Illinois’ economic struggles pre-date current federal policy by decades, the result of burdensome regulations, tax hikes, and anti-business legislation championed by Democrats in Springfield," stated the Republican members of the House Revenue and Finance Committee. The members emphasized the importance of state legislators focusing on local economic policies rather than federal issues to improve competitiveness.

State Senator Chris Balkema recently held a Youth Advisory Council at the Capitol, offering students from the 53rd Senate District, including many from the 106th House District, an opportunity to visit Springfield and engage with the legislative environment.

An I-PASS On Demand event, hosted by Rep. Bunting alongside Senator Balkema, Senator Sue Rezin, and Rep. Jed Davis, is set for May 12 in Morris. The event allows local drivers to upgrade their tollway transponders with new sticker tags, facilitating easier toll road access across Illinois.

Additionally, Illinois is currently handling a bill backlog at the Illinois Comptroller’s office, with over $2.8 billion in unpaid bills. This situation underscores the state's financial challenges, including significant unfunded pension liabilities.