McLean County Times

Illinois has a bicameral legislature consisting of two chambers: 59 State Senate districts and 118 State House districts. Each Senate district elects one Senator, while each is divided into two House districts, each electing one Representative. These 177 legislators are responsible for shaping laws, setting the state budget, and representing local community needs.

Chris Balkema represents the 53rd Senate district, which includes the 105th and 106th House districts represented by Dennis Tipsword and Jason R. Bunting respectively.

County fairs are a highlight of summer in Northern Illinois, made possible by dedicated volunteers. Upcoming fairs include the Iroquois County Fair from July 15 to July 20, Peoria County Fair from July 15 to July 19, Marshall-Putnam Fair from July 16 to July 20, and Livingston County Fair from July 16 to July 20.

Despite record revenues totaling $54 billion this year, Illinois taxpayers face higher bills due to increased state spending. The new budget includes nearly $1 billion in additional taxes and short-term budget maneuvers raising concerns about financial stability. Over six years, state spending rose by nearly 40%, impacting working families trying to manage rising living costs.

During the spring session, various tax proposals were discussed but not included in the final budget. Chris Balkema aims to grow Illinois' GDP by reducing regulations and promoting business growth through capitalism.

The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) reminds late tax filers that they can still file their returns before October 15, despite missing the April deadline. Filing promptly can reduce penalties and interest on unpaid balances. IDOR advises using MyTax Illinois for electronic filing and direct deposit or debit for faster processing.

For more information on tax filing procedures visit tax.illinois.gov.