In this issue:
- House begins its investigation into indicted Rep. Carol Ammons
- Nonpartisan budget analysis finds state’s budget relies on $800 million in new revenues
- Speaking to Grundy County Leadership Accelerator class
- School supply sales tax holiday runs through this weekend
House begins its investigation into indicted Rep. Carol Ammons
The House of Representatives has convened a six-member Special Investigating Committee to look into allegations of misconduct made by federal prosecutors against Rep. Carol Ammons.
Rep. Ammons has pleaded not guilty to ten felony charges such as conspiring to obstruct justice and wire fraud. The charges stem from an allegation that Ammons enriched herself and her family through abuse of a state grant program and misuse of campaign funds. Her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, was also indicted.
The Special Investigating Committee is comprised of three Democrats and three Republicans. It will run an investigation separate from the federal government’s criminal probe. The purpose of the committee is to look into the allegations and determine if there was misconduct which would rise to the level of requiring separate disciplinary action by the House of Representatives, which could include expulsion from the House.
The committee held its first meeting on August 6 and voted unanimously to coordinate its actions with the U.S. Attorney for Central Illinois to make sure that its actions would not interfere with the criminal prosecution. The next hearing of the investigating committee will occur after the U.S. Attorney responds.
The most recent use of an Illinois House Special Investigation Committee occurred in 2020, when former House Speaker Mike Madigan was ensnared in a corruption scandal which eventually led to his indictment and conviction.
Nonpartisan budget analysis finds state’s budget relies on $800 million in new revenues
Illinois’ nonpartisan fiscal watchdog agency, the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, has submitted its analysis of the new state budget, and it found that the budget relies on around $800 million in new revenues in order to pay for all the spending. The budget spends almost $56 billion, the most expensive spending bill in Illinois history.
I voted No. The state must get its spending under control and stop the cycle of increasing spending and increasing taxes year after year.
Among the many tax and fee increases which were included in the budget package were a targeted advertising services tax, a digital asset (crypto) tax, a social media platform fee, a filing fee increase at the Environmental Protection Agency, a tax on prediction markets and a fantasy contests tax and new master sports wagering licenses.
Repeatedly calling on Illinoisans to pay more in taxes, and diverting money from one bucket of funds to another, does nothing to deal with the growing list of financial challenges the state is facing. It is a short-term fix that just pushes accumulating fiscal problems off until the next fiscal year. If this process continues, Illinoisans can expect to see another round of tax increases next year.
Speaking to Grundy County Leadership Accelerator class
It was an honor to be one of the speakers alongside Senator Chris Balkema, Representative Jackie Haas, and Representative Jed Davis in front of the Grundy County Chamber Leadership Accelerator Class. We each had the opportunity to share our leadership journeys, the “why” behind what we do, and the experiences that have shaped us along the way.
Thank you to the Leadership Accelerator class for the thoughtful questions, great conversations, and enthusiasm for growing as leaders. Investing in the next generation of community leaders is always time well spent!
School supply sales tax holiday runs through this weekend
The temporary suspension of the state’s share of the sales tax on school supplies runs through Sunday.
The state’s sales tax will be reduced on certain school supplies, as well as clothing and shoes under $125.
Five percent of the total cost of the item being sold is the state’s share of the sales tax. The remaining portion goes to local governments. It is this state share which is suspended through this weekend.
Most school supplies are covered by the sales tax holiday, but there are a few exceptions. Click here for a good roundup of what is and what is not included.
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 $1,078,517,333. This figure changes daily. Last year at this time the state had $1.8 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
Illinois State Armory renamed in honor of Governor Jim Edgar
Man on pre-trial release in Illinois arrested by ICE after being found with 8 Molotov cocktails
Illinois State Fair now underway
Pritzker signs school panic alert systems bill into law
Grundy Sheriff Deputy and civilian recognized for saving man’s life