This week, the Governor delivered his Budget Address and State of the State, we had committee meetings, and some interesting proposals came up in Springfield. Read my weekly update below!
BUDGET
Pritzker proposes the largest budget in state history. Last year after the budget address, we reported Governor Pritzker had proposed the largest budget in the state’s history. This year, he has outdone himself – breaking last year’s record.
I watched the Governor’s budget address from my seat in the House, with Senator Erica Harriss and Representative Regan Deering.
State spending under Governor Pritzker has grown exponentially since he took office in 2019. When he took over as Governor, state expenditures were $40.3 billion. Each year since we have seen state spending grow and we now have a budget that is $15 billion higher than when he took office.
During his address, we saw more of the same from Governor Pritzker: political rhetoric, increased spending, and gaslighting about the state’s fiscal crisis. This budget proposal is, once again, the largest in Illinois history with nearly $2 billion in additional spending. Just like last year, the Governor’s budget banks on controversial legislative action to supplement his spending spree.
Most appalling was the Governor linking Illinoisans upset about inflation and reckless government spending to Nazi Germans before World War II. Every Illinoisan should be offended by his hateful rhetoric. Unfortunately, his political ambition for higher office overrode his responsibility to the citizens of Illinois in a bizarre, offensive rant.
EDUCATION
Push to ban cellphones in Illinois classrooms. Many states are moving to ban or sharply restrict the use of cellphones by students in classrooms. The devices are seen as distracting to students and creating problems with discipline and awareness. More than twelve states have statewide policies that ban, or severely restrict, cellphone use in classrooms. This list of cellphone-ban states includes the neighboring state of Indiana. This week, the Wisconsin state legislature passed a statewide school cellphone ban. Many other states have recommendations in place that encourage local school districts to adopt cellphone bans.
Illinois has been slow to act on a statewide school cellphone ban. Some Illinois school districts have already taken action locally to ban or restrict cellphones in classrooms. Now, faced with evidence of the growing effects of cellphone culture on young people, the General Assembly will likely debate this issue this spring. Other neighboring states, such as Iowa, have already begun moving in this direction.
TRANSPORTATION
Still need a REAL ID? What to know about the upcoming requirements in Illinois. The wait for the long-delayed REAL ID plan may finally be coming to an end next year.
Next May, the federal Department of Homeland Security will require that people have a REAL ID in order to access federal facilities – think military bases – and fly on domestic commercial aircraft.
REAL ID has been in the works for more than 20 years, with numerous delays to the official implementation of the special identification put in place in 2005. […]
Now, REAL ID is set to go into effect fully on May 7, 2025, unless there is another delay.
For Illinois, REAL IDs look similar to that of a regular, standard Illinois driver’s license, but with one key difference – a gold star in the upper right denoting the special nature of the ID. Standard driver’s licenses have a phrase at the top that says “Federal Limits Apply.”
How do you get a REAL ID in Illinois?
People can go to their Illinois Secretary of State’s facility in order to receive a REAL ID.
The Secretary of State’s Office requires that anyone who wants a REAL ID must have proof of identity, such as a birth certificate or passport, proof of their Social Security number, two residency documents – such as a utility bill or rental statement – and proof of a signature.
COMING UP
On Monday, my district staff will be hosting mobile office hours at the Glen Carbon Public Library to meet with constituents who need help with issues concerning a State of Illinois agency. If my office can be of assistance, please stop by.
Thanks for reading my Capitol Update! Have a great weekend, and as always, my office is here to help if you’re having any difficulties with any state agencies.