McLean County Times

Governor Pritzker's $55 billion budget proposal, which would be the largest in Illinois history, faces challenges as the state falls short of necessary revenue. With the legislative session ending soon, a $500 million gap remains in expected funds. Some suggest reducing spending to match actual revenue, while others propose tax increases.

Illinois' unemployment rate held steady at 4.8% in April. Job losses occurred in manufacturing and professional services, while government jobs increased by 16,800 over the past year. The state's unemployment rate is higher than neighboring Indiana's 4.1% and slightly above the national average of 4.2%.

Local students Luke and Mike Josefik served as House Pages for a day at the Capitol. Luke attends Dwight Township High School and is involved in various activities including Boy Scouts and FFA. Mike recently graduated from St. Paul Catholic School and participates in sports and Rubik’s cube competitions.

Brianna Hilleary also visited the House floor; she studies law enforcement at Western Illinois University and is active in ROTC and other organizations.

Illinois currently has a backlog of unpaid bills totaling approximately $1.68 billion, compared to $877 million last year.

Recent headlines include discussions on ending a health program for some immigrants living illegally in the US, new protocols from the Illinois Gaming Board on human trafficking, violations by Tollway regarding open meetings laws, and expectations for Memorial Day weekend travel.