BUDGET ADDRESS REACTION
Governor Pritzker delivered his annual Budget and State of the State Address earlier this week in Springfield. Needless to say, I wasn’t very impressed. Here is my full statement:
“Once again, Governor Pritzker has proposed the largest budget in Illinois history, with spending continuing to grow at an unsustainable rate. The budget includes $728 million in new taxes, fees, and revenue increases on Illinois families. And it also includes spending on programs like non-citizen healthcare and violence interruption ‘peacekeeper’ grants. But hardworking families will continue to pay more.
“The Governor could not stop patting himself on the back during his speech today, but the actual record of his tenure reflects otherwise. Illinoisans currently pay the highest property taxes in the nation, energy costs are soaring, violent crime remains a massive issue, repeat criminals continue to be set free, businesses are closing or moving out of state, residents are fleeing across the state borders for a better life, and the cost of living continues to rise. The Governor continues to take no accountability or responsibility; instead, the blame game falls on the federal government. Illinois families deserve a government that works efficiently and is accountable and transparent; not one that continues to point fingers and blame others for their own deficiencies.”
STATE CHAMPIONS!
Congratulations to the State Champion Eureka Middle School 8th grade boys basketball team! The Hornets capped a tremendous season by defeating East St. Louis Lincoln 51-45 in the IESA Class 3A Boys Basketball State Championship Game on February 12. That makes it back-to-back state championships for this group of boys, who also won state last year as 7th graders!
The Eureka boys outscored East St. Louis 33-23 in the second half. The Hornets were led in scoring by Eli Sliger with 21 points, followed by Ethan Otto with 16. Other team members include: Clayton McClure, Crey Leman, Luke Spangler, Eli Zehr, Kal Brown, Eli Taylor, Kyle Cochran, Max Brown, Colin Risk, Drew Sauder, Tucker Knecht, Ezra Dohner, and Brodie Wettstein. IESA Boys Basketball State Tournament Game Comments
AMERICA’S 250TH BIRTHDAY
As Illinois communities prepare to celebrate the nation’s semi quincentennial on July 4, the Illinois America 250 Commission unveiled the first ever Passport to Illinois, inviting residents and visitors alike to explore the places, people and events in Illinois that have shaped the nation’s history.
The limited-edition keepsake Passport to Illinois uplifts under told stories of people and places that have contributed to making good on the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. The official hub for Illinois America 250 can be found online at il250.org.
MAKERS MADNESS
Nominations for the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association Makers Madness contest are open now. What do you think is the coolest thing made in Illinois? ILLINOIS MANUFACTURER’S ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES 2026 “MAKERS MADNESS” CONTEST TO NAME THE COOLEST THING MADE IN ILLINOIS | WFIW FM / WFIW AM / WOKZ-FM
IMPROPER LICENSING
A recent audit by the US Department of Transportation found one in five commercial licenses issued to noncitizens were issued illegally. USDOT warns Pritzker Illinois could lose $128M over illegal foreign CDLs | Fox News
FFA WEEK
Happy FFA Week (February 21-28) to the young leaders who are building the future of agriculture in Illinois and across the country!