The Illinois General Assembly has passed a Fiscal Year 2025 budget, setting a new record for government spending at over $53 billion. This budget, effective from July 1, 2024, marks an increase of nearly $13 billion, or 32%, since Governor Pritzker took office five and a half years ago. No Republicans in the Senate or House supported the spending plan.
In the early hours of Wednesday, as Illinois legislators worked towards a 4:30 AM adjournment, Frank Sinatra’s classic "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" echoed through the chamber. The Illinois legislature passed its largest budget in state history, totaling over $53 billion. This budget surpasses the first one passed under Governor J.B. Pritzker by $13 billion.
State Senator Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) is set to initiate summer traveling office hours across the 32nd District following the conclusion of the spring legislative session. The first four events are scheduled for June in Fox Lake and Cary.
On May 26, Senate Democrats advanced a Fiscal Year 2025 budget that includes record spending and nearly $1 billion in tax increases. In response to the Senate’s passage of the budget, State Senator Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry), who voted against it, released the following statement:
On May 15, hundreds of members from the Chicago Teacher’s Union (CTU) utilized a taxpayer-funded day off to travel to the Capitol, demanding an additional $1 billion in state funding for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). This move was met with resistance from Senate Republicans who highlighted the special funding CPS already receives, unavailable to other schools in the state.
After a hiatus due to the tax season, I am back to provide you with updates on legislative matters. As we approach the end of the legislative session, the political atmosphere is charged, partly due to this being an election year. This year, there is a notable effort by the Speaker to prevent any potentially embarrassing bills from emerging from the majority caucus. For instance, H.B. 4876 from a DuPage County representative that defines “abused child” as one who is denied access to gender-affirming care has been put on hold.
As 600 members of the Chicago Teacher’s Union rallied at the Capitol for an additional $1 billion in state funding for Chicago Public Schools, Senate Republican Caucus leaders countered that recent funding figures challenge many of the union's assertions.
Last week, during the National Nurses Appreciation Week, Senator Craig Wilcox visited Northwestern Hospital McHenry to express his gratitude towards the night shift nurses. He said, "Nurses are frontline healthcare heroes who work long hours to help keep us healthy. It was an absolute pleasure to thank them personally during Nurses Appreciation Week."
On Wednesday, June 5, 2024, from 10 am- 2 pm, I am hosting a mobile DMV event at the Cary Village Hall: 755 Georgetown Drive, Cary, IL. If you require a service at the SOS office, you can register at the link below and join us at the Village Hall with a mobile team from the Secretary of State’s office. Please feel free to contact my office via email at reick@ILHouseGOP.com or call (815) 880-5340 for additional information or assistance. As always, you can visit my website or Facebook page for updates on events and legislation in Springfield.
Senate Republicans have raised concerns over a new law passed by Democrats in Illinois, with one member warning, “This is How you Steal an Election.” Senator Craig Wilcox expressed his belief that the new law, Senate Bill 2412, is a blatant power grab by Illinois Democrats aimed at protecting their incumbents in the upcoming elections. Wilcox criticized the bill as an attempt to change election rules mid-game, prioritizing control over free and fair elections.Governor J.B. Pritzker faced criticism for swiftly signing the bill into law without thoroughly reviewing it....