McHenry Times

The General Assembly's Veto Session concluded last Thursday, with limited legislative progress. As the session ends, the 103rd General Assembly is set to reconvene in January for a "lame duck" session before the new assembly takes office on January 8.

Illinois faces a projected budget deficit exceeding $3 billion for the next fiscal year. Republican legislators attribute this shortfall partly to increased state spending fueled by temporary federal funds. They highlight that Governor J.B. Pritzker's initiatives, including programs like free healthcare for noncitizens costing over $1 billion annually, have led to recent tax increases of the same amount.

Senator Craig Wilcox stated, "I am urging the Governor to balance the upcoming budget without raising taxes. Struggling Illinoisans cannot afford to cover the cost of Governor Pritzker’s self-made budget crisis."

Wilcox also announced that his Woodstock office will serve as a drop-off point for this year's Toys for Tots campaign until December 5. He emphasized the importance of every child having a gift during the holidays and expressed pride in participating in this initiative.

As winter approaches, residents are warned about potential increases in heating bills due to expected colder temperatures. The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts higher natural gas and electricity costs compared to last year. Households may see an increase of $10 to $15 per month in natural gas bills depending on various factors.

Thanksgiving dinner costs remain elevated despite lower turkey prices due to increased production and fewer avian flu cases. The average cost for a meal serving ten people is $62.84 in Illinois, which ranks mid-range nationally according to GOBankingRates.

Safety remains paramount during Thanksgiving celebrations. The National Fire Protection Association warns about cooking fires being most common on this day and advises staying vigilant while cooking and keeping flammable items away from heat sources.

Additionally, road safety is critical as over 132 million people are expected to travel during Thanksgiving. Travelers are advised to ensure vehicle readiness, carry emergency kits, and monitor weather conditions.

Finally, Illinois workers can now claim unpaid wages through I-CASH thanks to a collaboration between the State Treasurer’s Office and Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL). This process helps workers recover wages by transferring unclaimed amounts after three years if workers cannot be located.