In this issue:
- Collecting food, hats and gloves
- Questions about voting?
- Petition to restore SWCD funding
- Remember to fall back this weekend!
Collecting food, hats and gloves
As the weather turns colder with the arrival of November, we are again reminded of those in need in our communities.
My office is once again conducting a food drive for our local food pantries. We are also collecting new or gently used hats and gloves (of any size) to be donated to those in need.
If you can, please drop off donations of non-perishable food items, hats or gloves to either of my district offices. We are located at 342 W. Walnut Street in Watseka and 132 E. Main Street in Dwight.
Thank you for your generosity to our neighbors in need.
Questions about voting?
Election Day is next Tuesday, November 5, and many Illinoisans have questions, either about their ballot or about the process of registering or voting. Mail-in and absentee voting has been underway for a few weeks now. Election day polling places will be open on Tuesday from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.
If you have questions, please contact your local county clerk’s office to find information specific to your county.
- Ford County: (217) 379-9400
- Grundy County: (815) 941-3222
- Iroquois County: (815) 432-6960
- LaSalle County: (815) 434-8201
- Livingston County: (815) 844-2006
- McLean County: (309) 888-5190
- Will County: (815) 740-4615
Petition to restore SWCD funding
Our Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) perform vital services in protecting and managing our land. SWCDs work with landowners to prevent soil erosion, conserve water, restore wetlands, provide flood control, conserve forests, enhance wildlife habitat and protect groundwater. All this makes for a healthy environment and sustainable land use.
SWCDs got their start after the tragedy of the Dust Bowl in the 1930s when poor land management techniques led to a drought that devastated farmers and communities throughout the middle of the country and contributed to the Great Depression. SWCDs help us implement the lessons learned from that difficult time.
But now our SWCDs and their important programs are under threat here in Illinois. This year’s state budget slashed SWCD funding by $4 million, a nearly 50% cut. It gets worse, however, because this funding cut could cause Illinois to miss out on as much as $50 million in federal funds. These cuts will severely hamper SWCDs and their ability to continue their vital programs. I am co-sponsoring legislation, HB 5876, to restore these funds and protect these programs.
These programs invest in conservation and good stewardship of the land that feeds our families. If you feel these programs are worth saving, I encourage you to sign our petition to restore the budget cuts from the state’s SWCDs.
Remember to fall back this weekend!
Daylight Savings Time ends on Saturday night. Don’t forget to turn your clocks back an hour!
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 $1,918,611,816. This figure changes daily. Last year at this time the state had $1.4 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
How do I know if I’m registered to vote in Illinois? Here’s how to check
Illinois Deer Donation Program returns for 3rd donation season as ‘Hunters Feeding Illinois’
McLean County State’s Attorney office warning of local scam
Secretary of State accepting applications for John Lewis Youth Leadership Award