GRANTS
IDOT has announced $400 million in Local Projects Funding for local agencies across the state. This is a great opportunity for communities to get funding for local projects, especially those that are shovel-ready and those in areas facing economic hardship.
Local roads, complete streets, and transit projects are eligible. Local agencies must submit proposals via the online form by June 1.
Find more information at the links below:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=nwgia7qOPEaE9TFxIQ-QBdd41ZUUx11MiI-pF0gKqe1UNENHUUozNTdHNEJUVFI1VjkzRkpJUzU4WC4u&route=shorturl
https://gata.illinois.gov/grants/csfa.html
https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A
https://idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/local-transportation-partners/county-engineers-and-local-public-agencies/funding-programs/hsip.html
https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/358404
https://illinois-department-of-transportation.prezly.com/local-transportation-grants-available-through-idot
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship grants through June 13, 2025. The Caucus Blog of the Illinois House Republicans: IDNR accepting applications for Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship grants
IDOT SURVEY
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is asking the public to provide feedback on the state’s transportation system and the agency’s overall performance by taking the annual Traveler Opinion Survey.
This year’s survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete and asks for input on commuting habits, passenger rail, ice and snow removal, planning priorities, electric vehicles and more. Learn more at the link below.
Take the survey here: 2025 Illinois Traveler Opinion Survey
Learn more here: Annual transportation survey for Illinois residents
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Megan Bos’ death and the events that followed have raised serious concerns regarding cashless bail and limitations placed on law enforcement and judges, illustrating an urgent need for reform. Republicans discuss bills to help reform SAFE-T Act – Capitol City Now
TAXES
Threat of up to $6 billion/year in new Illinois taxes
A “tax-and-spend” wish list totaling over $6 billion in new revenue was presented to state lawmakers last week by the Illinois Revenue Alliance, a consortium that includes the Chicago Teachers Union, healthcare unions, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and other left-leaning special interests.
Here are the tax increases and new taxes that would be implemented, according to the Illinois Revenue Alliance:
- $1.7 billion from increased taxes on capital gains
- $1.5 billion from a tax on so-called carried interest
- $1.2 billion in increased revenues from the corporate income tax, based on combined reporting
- $840 million from a wealth tax on billionaires
- $830 million from a hike in the corporate income tax rate
- $725 million from a tax on digital advertising (Alphabet and Meta would be major payors)
- $200 million in additional corporate income tax proceeds from an improved application of the tax to offshore income
- $175 million in additional corporate income tax proceeds from the closure of unspecified corporate income tax loopholes
- $150 million in additional estate tax income
Illinois House Republicans slammed the proposals from progressive interest groups that would raise taxes by $6 billion on Illinois working families and businesses.
POPE LEO XIV
Illinois’ own Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost becomes Pope Leo XIV
As the world watched on Thursday, an American from Illinois, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected as the new Pope, the first from the United States.
He chose the name Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago in September 1955. He was raised in the south suburbs, attending St. Mary of the Assumption parish in Dolton. He was ordained in 1982 and earned a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas.
The new Pope is considered by some to represent “a dignified middle of the road.” The 69-year-old Pope attended Villanova University, and then spent much of his life abroad, primarily in Peru where he became a naturalized citizen, worked as a missionary and later was archbishop. He was the Bishop of Chiclayo beginning in 2015.
In 2023 his predecessor, Pope Francis, named him to the Dicastery for Bishops, the Vatican office which oversees worldwide appointments of bishops. Pope Francis later named him president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
The communications director for the new Pope’s former diocese in Chiclayo told the Associated Press that, “no matter how many problems he has, he maintains good humor and joy.” He has called for service, saying last year that, “the bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom.” He must be “called authentically to be humble, to be close to the people he serves, to walk with them, to suffer with them.”
Find out more about Pope Leo XIV from the Associated Press.
FALLEN OFFICERS
Peace Officers Memorial Day is a solemn tribute to law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty. We honored them this week by remembering their names and supporting those who still serve. Their courage and service will not be forgotten! The Caucus Blog of the Illinois House Republicans: Paying tribute to fallen heroes on Peace Officers Memorial Day
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Thank you to the students from the Midland School District that visited Springfield this week and enjoyed a tour of the Capitol! It was an honor and a pleasure to speak with all of you!