McHenry Times

Illinois State Representative Steven Reick recently highlighted the taxpayer-funded aspects of government operations in a newsletter update. Reflecting on a session day, Reick pointed out how a short 24-minute session cost taxpayers $16,268 as 98 members were present to attend the Speaker's birthday party. Reick emphasized, "You paid that much for a birthday party you weren’t even invited to.”

Looking ahead, Reick discussed the upcoming 2024 Budget Address by Governor Pritzker, noting the state's fiscal challenges. With the end of Federal COVID funding, Illinois is facing an $891 million budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year. Reick expressed curiosity about the Governor's plans to address this gap while meeting party demands, particularly focusing on K-12 education funding.

Reick raised questions about the allocation of $5.3 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding during the pandemic, highlighting concerns about the need for replacement funds. He questioned where the substantial amount of ESSER funding went, especially considering that property taxes funding education remained unchanged for taxpayers.

Additionally, Rep. Reick mentioned a new podcast initiative by the Illinois House Republican Caucus, Capitol Crimes, which aims to shed light on efforts to reform state laws and address failures in the system. The latest episode addresses Reick's personal concern for fixing the child welfare system, acknowledging the shortcomings that have affected children throughout Illinois.

In his newsletter, Reick invited readers to engage and share his updates, aiming to provide a concise overview of State Capitol activities, local issues, and opportunities for involvement.