Hypocrisy within the Chicago Teachers Union
An interesting news story broke recently that shined a light on hypocrisy within the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and the Illinois Democratic Party. I have written previously about the Invest in Kids Tax Credit Scholarship Program. This program, you may recall, provides a tax credit to Illinoisans who donate to a fund that provides tuition […]
Sweeping Changes to Illinois’ Bail System Take Effect on September 18
With the recent Illinois Supreme Court decision that upheld the no-cash bail provisions in the so-called SAFE-T Act, these sweeping changes to our bail system will take effect on September 18. Among other things, the SAFE T Act creates a standard that all defendants are presumed eligible for pretrial release. State’s Attorneys must petition the […]
Embracing Agriculture in Illinois
Illinois’ annual celebration of agriculture just ended with the closing of the Illinois State Fair on August 20th. We had some livestock participants and winners in various categories from the 45th District, and I want to thank all the FFA, 4-H, and other livestock exhibitors who took the time to raise, groom, feed, and prepare […]
Senator Chesney’s Guest Column: Spend, Spend, Spend
What would happen to your family budget if you doubled your spending over a six-year period? I think we all know it would be an unsustainable and irresponsible path that leads to a lot of credit card debt and an eventual fiscal cliff. Yet that is exactly what your state government has done with the […]
The Value of County Fairs
Some of my favorite childhood memories involve trips to the county fair, and this time of year counties across Illinois are continuing their traditions of bringing people together for celebrations of community spirit. From hot dogs, lemon shake-ups, cotton candy and funnel cakes, to livestock exhibits, carnival rides, concerts, and pageants, county fairs offer something […]
Unintended Consequences
The State of Illinois lost a great legislator last year when Republican State Representative and Floor Leader Mark Batinick retired. He was a fiscal hawk who was a true problem-solver. He did not promote a partisan agenda, but instead viewed policy ideas, regardless of who sponsored them, through a comprehensive lens of cost-benefit-consequence. Mark and […]
The Next Generation of Leaders in Illinois
There is no denying Illinois has an outmigration problem. And it is not just retired people leaving Illinois for warmer climates. The most recent data available show that Illinois is losing residents of all age ranges and income brackets. Census estimates claim Illinois’ population shrank by over 104,000 people between July 2021 and July 2022. […]
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget
Legislators left Springfield toward the end of May with a record-high budget in place for the fiscal year that begins July 1 of this year. The budget and its implementation document, commonly known as the BIMP, are two of more than 500 bills that now await final action by the Governor. He can sign them, veto them in part […]
Clean energy and lower utility costs. So why is Senate Bill 76 stalled?
Illinois families continue to struggle with rising costs tied to inflation, high property taxes, and other budgetary pressures. It is said that through inflation alone, the average Illinois family is spending approximately $300 more each month on the items needed to stay fed, healthy, comfortable, and clothed. Energy costs are also rising, but luckily, lawmakers […]
Chicago’s problems are everyone’s problems. So what are we going to do about crime?
In the spring, when temperatures rise in Chicago, so does crime. And when crime spikes in Chicago, we feel it in other parts of the state too, including here in Northwest Illinois. When the Cook County State’s Attorney chooses not to press charges or hold offenders when crimes occur, most are back on the street […]