COGFA data points to $1.2 billion shortfall in Gov. Pritzker’s plan

SPRINGFIELD – A recent revenue forecast from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) indicates that Gov. JB Pritzker’s revenue projections are likely off by a wide margin, revealing a $1.2 billion shortfall in his proposed budget.

The Governor’s budget includes $490 million in new revenues that have yet to be vetted or approved by the Illinois General Assembly. Even if these new revenues are enacted, COGFA estimates a $740 million shortfall compared to the projections from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget.

Not only does the Governor’s proposed budget face a potential $1.2 billion hole, but his plan, if enacted, would set a new spending record for the state, marking an increase of 37% since he took office.

Making things worse, the current fiscal year is already expected to end $525 million short, further proving that the Governor’s numbers are not aligned with the state’s fiscal realities.

State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) says the latest forecast underscores the need for a more responsible and realistic budget. Illinois deserves a fiscal plan that addresses the state’s challenges without relying on unreliable revenue projections or additional tax burdens on its residents.

Illinois leaders introduce key bills to combat deadly fentanyl crisis

State and local officials are calling for legislative action to address the growing impact of fentanyl in communities, the difficulty in reversing overdoses due to the potency of illicit fentanyl mixtures, and the need for a comprehensive approach involving prevention, treatment, and accountability for traffickers.

Four bills have been introduced aimed at increasing penalties for fentanyl traffickers, improving public safety, and properly identifying fentanyl-related deaths.

Senate Bill 280: Increases penalties for selling or dispensing fentanyl, making it a Class X felony with prison sentences of 9 to 40 years and fines up to $250,000. It also targets the use of electronic devices for trafficking with fines up to $100,000.

Senate Bill 1569: Increases mandatory prison sentences for fentanyl-related crimes, adding 5 years for manufacturing or delivering fentanyl, and increasing penalties for possession.

Senate Bill 113: Requires defendants charged with trafficking 15 grams or more of fentanyl to prove they do not pose a threat to public safety before being granted pretrial release.

Senate Bill 1283: Ensures fentanyl-related deaths are classified as “fentanyl poisonings” rather than overdoses, helping to reduce stigma and recognizing that many victims unknowingly consume fentanyl.

Senate Bills 280 and 1569 have been assigned to the Senate Criminal Law Clear Compliance Subcommittee. Senate Bills 113 and 1283 are awaiting committee assignments.

Illinoisans show common sense in voting to keep State Flag design

Senator Syverson says the time and costs invested in a proposal to redesign the Illinois State Flag have been for naught, as Illinoisans have voted to keep the current State Flag design.

Announced March 6, the results of public voting noted that of the 385,000 votes received, the current Illinois state flag received more votes than the next five top designs combined.

The Illinois Flag Commission selected 10 top finalists from nearly 5,000 submissions for the state flag redesign contest. These designs were available for public viewing and voting on the Secretary of State’s website.

Critics of the proposed redesign, including Senator Syverson, had argued that the effort was a misuse of time and taxpayer dollars.

“Illinois residents spoke against a proposal to change our State flag, which is not a surprise. I initially opposed the creation of a new Flag Commission to explore the idea, which ended up costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars just to go through this exercise,” Senator Syverson said. “And when taxpayers realized the additional costs of implementing a flag change in Illinois, estimated at tens of millions of dollars, they rejected the idea.”

Senator Syverson says his opposition stemmed from the fact that the state could not afford to divert resources to a flag redesign when more pressing issues, such as financial instability, struggling schools, and the need to attract businesses, remain unaddressed. In a state already grappling with significant budget challenges, he viewed the flag redesign as emblematic of misplaced priorities, especially at a time when Illinois residents are looking for solutions to everyday problems.

The original flag was designed by Lucy Derwent, a Rockford-native, in 1915. That design has only changed slightly in the subsequent years, such as adding the word “Illinois” below the seal in 1969.