NW Illinois News

Republican Senators are urging Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to prioritize managing his administration in Illinois instead of traveling the country to increase his national profile. During a press conference on November 1, members of the Senate Republican Caucus expressed concerns about the Pritzker Administration's mismanagement and failures within multiple state agencies.

One of the main issues highlighted by the senators is the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), which has seen high-profile resignations and terminations, as well as exorbitant taxpayer-funded salaries. Senator Andrew Chesney pointed out that one assistant was being paid up to $60,000 per month.

Another agency facing significant problems is the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), which has been experiencing long delays in license renewals, negatively impacting skilled professionals such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, social workers, and business owners.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has also been plagued by mismanagement and neglect for the state's most vulnerable children. The agency's director recently announced his resignation after being found in contempt of court multiple times.

The Illinois Department of Human Services is facing budgetary challenges with its Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults and Seniors program. Despite projections that the program would exceed its $550 million budget, Governor Pritzker insisted he could keep it within its limits. However, the agency is now projecting the cost to exceed the budget by more than 50%.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) has come under scrutiny for making over $5 billion in improper payments during the pandemic, while many Illinoisans struggled to receive their rightful benefits. Senate Republicans discovered evidence that the Pritzker Administration instructed employees to ignore red flags of fraud and other federal government guidelines.

These issues are just a few examples of the problems facing Illinois taxpayers that need to be addressed. Senator Chesney emphasized the need for Governor Pritzker to refocus his attention on the job he was elected to do in Illinois and take action to reform the struggling state agencies.

In response to these concerns, the Legislative Audit Commission (LAC) will hold a hearing on November 7 to review a scathing audit covering IDES and the Administration's handling of the state's unemployment system during the pandemic. Senate Republicans will also be filing a resolution to perform a similar audit on the staffing issues at IEMA and will introduce legislation in the full Senate calling for a similar audit.

While the Governor has been focused on national politics and foreign policy, Senate Republicans have been working on solutions for the people of Illinois. Senator Chesney encouraged Governor Pritzker to shift his focus to the issues within the state.

In other news, the Illinois State Police (ISP) has been holding hearings on a confusing and controversial aspect of the state's new "Assault Weapon" ban. The hearings have been addressing the conflicting and confusing language within the law regarding which firearms and accessories are affected. Many individuals who attended the hearings were not given answers to their questions but were asked to submit them in writing for future responses.

November is a particularly hazardous month on Illinois roads due to an increase in deer activity during the autumn breeding season. To avoid deer-related accidents, motorists are advised to exercise extreme caution and not swerve upon encountering a deer. Instead, experts recommend braking hard, driving straight, and gripping the steering wheel to absorb the impact.

The Veto Session in Springfield is set to continue next week, with lawmakers focusing on alternative measures due to the lack of substantial action on vetoed bills. Senate Republicans are determined to save the Invest in Kids scholarship program, which provides tax credits for donations to scholarships for low-income families. They are also pushing for a legislative solution to the Governor's veto of a bill that would have ended the moratorium on nuclear power plant construction.

As the Veto Session enters its final stretch, state legislators are gearing up to address the remaining items on the legislative agenda for the people of Illinois.

In conclusion, Republican Senators are calling on Governor Pritzker to prioritize managing his administration in Illinois and address the ongoing mismanagement concerns within state agencies. They are pushing for audits and legislative solutions to address the issues facing Illinois taxpayers. Meanwhile, hearings are being held to address the confusion surrounding the state's new "Assault Weapon" ban, and motorists are being advised to exercise caution during deer migration season. The Veto Session is also set to continue, with lawmakers focused on alternative measures to address the needs of the state.

To find out more, go to this link: https://senatorchesney.com/senator-andrew-chesneys-week-in-review/