In this issue:
- Meet the Illinois Olympians
- Supersweet corn has Illinois roots
- Last week for Back to School Supply Drive
- Illinois headlines
Thank you for reading my e-newsletter. For the latest news from state government or to share your ideas and opinions, please visit my legislative website at repbunting.com.
Celebrating Illinois Olympic and Paralympic Athletes
The 2024 Summer Olympic Games are in full swing in Paris and will conclude on August 11. Athletes are competing in 32 sports and 329 medal events. 27 Olympic athletes and 9 Paralympic athletes from Illinois are representing the U.S. at the Summer Games. We are proud of them all!
Meet the 2024 Olympians and Paralympians from Illinois:
- Sarah Adam from Naperville is competing in Wheelchair Rugby
- Korbin Albert from Grayslake is competing in soccer.
- Kamal Bay from Bellwood is competing in wrestling.
- Kennedy Blades from Chicago is competing in wrestling.
- Lauren Carlini from Aurora is competing in volleyball.
- Peter Chatain from Winnetka is competing in rowing.
- Owen Cravens from Algonquin is competing in Paratriathlon.
- Marco Delarosa from Chicago is competing in Para Shooting,
- Anthony Davis from Chicago is competing in basketball.
- Lauren Doyle from Boody is competing in rugby.
- Tori Franklin from Chicago is competing in track and field.
- Ixhelt Gonzalez from Chicago is competing in Wheelchair Basketball
- Kendall Gretsch from Downers Grove is competing in Paratriathlon.
- Evita Griskenas from Orland Park is competing in rhythmic gymnastics.
- Ryan Held from Springfield is competing in swimming.
- Thomas Jaeschke from Wheaton is competing in volleyball.
- John Jayne from Chicago is competing in judo.
- Jeff Jendryk from Wheaton is competing in volleyball.
- Grace Joyce from Northfield is competing in rowing.
- Paul Juda from Deerfield is competing in gymnastics.
- Keegan Knott from Lake Villa is competing in Para Swimming
- Casey Krueger from Naperville is competing in soccer.
- Ahalya Lettenberger from Glen Ellyn is competing in Para Swimming
- Courtney Lindsey from Rock Island is competing in track and field.
- Jewell Loyd from Lincolnwood is competing in basketball.
- Chuck Melton from Richview is competing in Wheelchair Rugby
- Eric Newby from Nashville is competing in Wheelchair Rugby
- Anna Peplowski from Germantown Hills is competing in swimming.
- Josef Rau from Chicago is competing in wrestling.
- Erin Reese from Mt. Prospect is competing in track and field.
- Dana Rettke from Riverside is competing in volleyball.
- Kelsey Robinson-Cook from Bartlett is competing in volleyball.
- Maggie Shea from Wilmette is competing in sailing.
- Gabriel Slonina from Addison is competing in soccer.
- Jayden Ulrich from East Alton is competing in track and field.
- Zach Ziemek from Itasca is competing in track and field.
Supersweet corn has Roots in Illinois
This week we celebrated Sweet Corn Day in Illinois. Did you know that in Urbana on the University of Illinois campus sits a historical marker that reads: “In 1953, John R. Laughnan discovered that kernels of mutant corn were “unusually sweet.” Within eight years, Laughnan had developed the “Illini Supersweet” hybrid that revolutionized the sweet corn industry. Supersweet, now a dominant variety internationally, is higher in protein and lower in calories than conventional sweet corn.”
Although it didn’t catch on right away, supersweet corn has surged in popularity over the decades. Whether you like it sweet or supersweet, sweet corn is a staple on the tables of Illinois families and is deserving of a its own special day of recognition on August 1st.
Last Week for Back to School Supply Drive
Heads up! We’re in the final stretch of our Back to School Supply Collection Drive. Drop boxes are available at both of our district offices in Watseka and Dwight through next Wednesday, August 7. Donations will be distributed to the schools in the 106th District for their students to use in the upcoming school year. Thank you to everyone who has donated items already.
If you have questions, please call (779) 218-3070 or email bunting@ilhousegop.org.
Our current bill backlog
When a vendor provides the state with goods and services, they submit the bill to the Illinois Comptroller for payment. The Comptroller processes the paperwork and pays the bill when funds are available in the state’s checking account. Currently the total amount of unpaid bills is $1.314 billion. This figure changes daily. Last year at this time the state had $1.1 billion in bills awaiting payment. This only includes bills submitted to the Comptroller for payment, not unfunded debts like the state’s pension liability, which is well over $100 billion.
Illinois headlines
A new study from the University of Illinois System says only about one-fourth of all public-school students are back to pre-pandemic performance levels in English language arts while even fewer have returned to pre-pandemic levels in math.
Study: Illinois students still struggle with post-pandemic learning loss (capitolnewsillinois.com)
Farmers impacted by severe weather in Illinois may be eligible to receive help from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Here’s what you should know.
https://www.wifr.com/2024/07/29/illinois-farmers-get-assistance-usda-after-severe-weather
An Illinois doctor just returned after spending over a year inside a NASA Mars simulation. Here’s what he says about the experience.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-doctor-selected-nasa-mars-mission-simulation
Illinois 4-H members will lead the Twilight Parade to kick off the Illinois State Fair next week!
https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/illinois-4h-twilight-parade-fair-19606429.php