In this issue:
- Shred event and canned food drive next weekend in Fairbury
- Meeting with law enforcement and education advisory committees
- More calls for Illinois to opt in to federal education tax credit
- Illinois headlines
Shred event and canned food drive next weekend in Fairbury
I am hosting a FREE paper shredding event and canned food drive in Fairbury next Saturday, September 12.
We will be at the corner of East Walnut and South 4th Street from 9 a.m. until noon. This is a good opportunity to protect yourself from identity theft by shredding old sensitive documents. It is also a chance to help neighbors in need by dropping off a donation of canned, non-perishable food items for a local pantry.
The shred truck will be there until noon, or until it reaches capacity, so plan to stop by early. For more information, contact my office at 779-218-3070.
I hope you will stop by!
Meeting with law enforcement and education advisory committees
Last week I had the honor of meeting with both my Law Enforcement Advisory Committee and Education Advisory Committee!
These conversations are so important as I work to make sure the voices and experiences of the people on the front lines are represented in Springfield. We had some great discussions, shared ideas, and talked about the challenges and opportunities facing our communities.
I’m incredibly grateful for the time, expertise, and dedication these folks bring to the table. Their insight helps guide me as I work to serve our district and make a difference.
More calls for Illinois to opt in to federal education tax credit
Support is growing in Illinois for the state to opt in to a federal education tax credit. The credit was created by Congress last year, and more than two dozen states have already agreed to participate, but so far Illinois has not done so. If Illinois does not opt in, students here will lose out on a valuable resource that could help them succeed.
The governor must decide by the end of the year whether or not the state will join the federal program. It offers tax credits to those who donate toward schools – whether they are public or private. It is similar to a very successful tax credit program which Illinois operated until a few years ago. I called for that program to be extended, and when it was not, I encouraged the state to join this federal program. I still hope that Illinois will do the right thing and opt in.
The Education Freedom Tax Credit allows a taxpayer to contribute up to $1700 to a scholarship organization. It would open up doors to countless students and help them attain the tools they need to succeed in their education. If Illinois does not join the program, Illinoisans could still donate, but the resources would go to help students in other states. Illinois students would miss out.
The group of states which has so far opted in to the program consists of states all over the country, and of every political persuasion. Illinois should join them and unlock this resource for our students.
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 $2,275,720,144. 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
New Illinois law establishes rules for e-bikes, scooters
Illinois program offers free, confidential mental health support to farm families