Governor Signs Record Spending Budget with Billion-Dollar Tax Hike
Governor J.B. Pritzker’s government spending plan, which relies on $1 billion in tax increases, officially became the largest budget in state history when he signed it into law on June 5.
Despite bipartisan opposition, the controversial budget sets a new high-water mark for government spending, surpassing $53 billion. This eye-popping total represents a surge of almost $13 billion, or 32% since Pritzker took office.
This significant increase in government spending during Pritzker’s tenure has been fueled by one-time COVID relief funds and unexpectedly high state revenues. Despite warnings from Senate Republican lawmakers to exercise caution with these temporary funds, Pritzker and his allies in the legislature created new programs and permanently increased government spending.
Now that the federal money has run out, the Governor is raising taxes by almost $1 billion to fill the gap and fund around $1 billion in yearly spending on programs for migrants and illegal immigrants, including top-tier healthcare.
While non-citizen spending continues to skyrocket with the taxpayers of Illinois picking up the tab, there was no attempt made by the majority party this year to provide tax relief to Illinois families.
A budget is a statement of priorities, and while the Governor’s FY25 budget is the largest in state history, it clearly doesn’t prioritize the people of Illinois.
Chesney to Host Community Connections Meeting on June 18 in Genoa
The first of a series of Community Connections meetings across the 45th District is set for Tuesday, June 18, in the City of Genoa. I hope you’ll join me and my co-host, Genoa Mayor Jonathon Brust for this event, which will include a brief summary of the recently-completed spring legislative session. This hour-and-a-half meeting will also offer an opportunity for you to ask questions on topics of interest to you and your family, and the ability for people to have one-on-one conversations with their local and state-level elected officials. Please join us!
Additional Community Connections meetings are scheduled as follows:
- June 24, Rockton
- June 26, Machesney Park
- July 31, Savanna
- August 28, Freeport
- September 12, Oregon
All events are scheduled for 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM. For additional information about these meetings, please visit the “Events” page on my website.
Controversial Election Law Ruled Unconstitutional
A controversial new law that would drastically change the state’s election laws and reduce competition at the ballot box was ruled unconstitutional by a Sangamon County judge on June 5.
Senate Bill 2412, which was signed into law by Governor Pritzker in May, would make significant changes to the rules for an election process that is already well underway. Most notably, it would have ended the slating process currently taking place in districts throughout the state, effectively sidelining potential challengers to entrenched incumbents in November.
Republican lawmakers opposed the legislation when it came before the General Assembly in May, arguing that it was a blatant power grab by Illinois Democrats intended to prioritize their control over the electoral process at the expense of Illinoisans’ rights to fair and open elections.
Lawmakers Call Out State Treasurer for Politicized Investing
Senate Republican lawmakers are taking aim at the State Treasurer’s Office for politicizing the management of nearly $60 billion in state investments.
It is the Treasurer’s duty to protect the state’s investment portfolio and implement savings programs to help Illinois residents create a better future for themselves and their families. However, questions have been raised about the Treasurer putting his political agenda before his fiduciary responsibility, spurring the filing of Senate Resolution 1003. I am proud to serve as a Chief Co-Sponsor of this resolution.
The Treasurer is a leading advocate of the highly controversial and politically motivated Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investment philosophy. ESG has become a subjective and amorphous criterion linked to a controversial political agenda. Due to its inherently political nature, ESG has fallen out of favor, leading many major investment firms to abandon this approach and focus on maximizing investment returns.
Still Time to Participate in Senator Chesney’s Summer Reading Program
My 2024 summer reading program is underway, and there is still time for students to participate. To keep young minds active during the summer break from school, I am offering first through sixth grade students from the 45th District an opportunity to participate in this year’s program.
Students entering first through sixth grades are challenged to read eight books over the course of the summer. Books over 200 pages may count as two books. Once a student has completed the readings, a summer reading form should be filled out and signed by a parent or guardian. The form can be accessed here. The form is printable.
Completed forms should be mailed to:
State Senator Andrew Chesney
50 West Douglas Street, Suite 1001
Freeport, IL 61032
Those who complete my summer reading challenge will receive an official certificate of recognition from the Illinois Senate and an invitation to an ice cream party. Forms should be returned by August 4th to be eligible for the recognition. For additional information, please contact my office at (815) 232-0774.
Legislation Allowing Sheriffs to Serve on Local 9-1-1 Boards Passes General Assembly
Legislation to amend the Emergency Telephone System Act to explicitly include sheriffs as eligible members on local 9-1-1 boards recently passed the General Assembly. The hope is to recognize the role sheriffs play in ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities.
House Bill 5128 addresses a longstanding issue by formally allowing sheriffs to serve on local 9-1-1 boards. These boards are deeply involved in planning, implementing, and maintaining the 9-1-1 systems. They are responsible for receiving and managing 9-1-1 surcharge funds, authorizing disbursements, and hiring necessary staff to support system operations and upgrades.
Including sheriffs on these boards will ensure that their expertise and insights as law enforcement officers are integrated into decision-making that directly impacts emergency response services. The legislation passed the Senate on May 16th and will now advance to the Governor’s desk for his signature.
