McLean County Times

Earlier this week, a Senior Expo in Pontiac provided area residents with access to services, health screenings, and local resources. The event was co-hosted by Sen. Chris Balkema and held at the Pontiac Parks & Rec Center.

A National Night Out event also took place in El Paso, drawing locals and visitors from across Illinois. The evening included activities such as a hot dog eating contest and was organized with help from the El Paso Police Department.

The 2025 Illinois State Fair began Thursday in Springfield, offering agricultural showcases, carnival rides, concerts featuring artists like Snoop Dogg and Brad Paisley, horse racing, auto racing, and daily themed events recognizing groups such as veterans and first responders. Discounts are available for parking, admission, and food.

During a recent segment on "The Late Show," host Stephen Colbert highlighted the unusual shapes of Illinois’ congressional districts. Governor J.B. Pritzker commented on the process behind the district maps.

As families prepare for the new school year in Illinois, many are concerned about rising costs for supplies. Unlike some other states that have introduced back-to-school sales tax holidays to ease financial pressures on families, Illinois has not yet adopted similar measures (https://www.thecaucusblog.com/2025/08/back-to-school-spending-taxes-families.html).

Illinois continues to face significant challenges related to its public pension system. According to an annual report by the Equable Institute, state pensions remain fiscally unstable and pose risks for retirees and taxpayers. Unfunded obligations now equal 19.02% of state GDP—an increase from last year—and taxpayer contributions have risen nearly twentyfold since 1996. The state's funded ratio is 50.6%, ranking second worst nationally after New Jersey this year. Some analysts warn that states under a 60% funded ratio face serious trouble.

In agriculture news, farmers in Illinois continue to face estate tax burdens when passing family farms to future generations. Although bipartisan legislation was introduced earlier this year to raise the estate tax exemption for farms from $4 million to $6 million and adjust it for inflation, it did not advance out of committee. Meanwhile, another proposal sought to lower the exemption threshold further but did not move forward either.

This week also saw an incident involving a semi-truck striking a construction trailer and an IDOT worker on Route 3 in Alexander County; two people were hospitalized as a result. Scott’s Law requires drivers to slow down and move over when approaching construction zones or emergency vehicles.

Tipsword, a Republican elected in 2023 to represent Illinois' 105th House District following Dan Brady's tenure, continues his legislative work within these contexts.

"Thank you to the Pontiac Parks & Rec Center for serving as our host site for this extraordinary event to allow our constituents to ask questions and connect with programs designed just for them!"

"We had a wonderful time at the National Night Out event in El Paso earlier this week! Thank you to the El Paso Police Department and everyone who helped organize this incredible event."

"The Governor’s hypocrisy knows no bounds."

"As families across Illinois prepare for the upcoming school year, the rising cost of school supplies is weighing heavily on household budgets."

"The Equable Institute’s annual report on the state of public pensions nationwide reaffirms that Illinois pensions continue to lag the nation in funding and are in desperate need of reform."

"Preserving the cost savings of Tier 2, offering retirement choice to state employees and constitutional pension reform should all be implemented if Illinois is to have any hope of gaining fiscal stability."

"In other words, roughly one-fifth of everything produced in the state would be required just to erase the shortfall."

"That’s driving up the burden on taxpayers..."

"Illinois’ funded ratio...is 50.6%, the second worst in the nation."

"But when it comes to passing on the family farm, they’re facing a tax burden that threatens everything they’ve built."

"The result? Families are forced to sell off acreage or assets just to pay the tax bill."

"It’s time Illinois Democrats stop treating them like a budget line item and start protecting the legacy they’ve worked so hard to build."

"Scott’s Law reminds us to SLOW DOWN and MOVE OVER when approaching construction zones or emergency vehicles. It’s the law!"