(SPRINGFIELD) Governor J.B. Pritzker will present his seventh state budget proposal tomorrow in Springfield as the state faces a projected $3.2 billion revenue shortfall for fiscal year 2026, which begins later this year on July 1st. With all the federal pandemic aid fully allocated and a statewide economy that has slowed down, tax revenue projections are mostly flat for the next year or two. Many downstate lawmakers are concerned about more tax increases with the Democratic-controlled General Assembly. The Governor will deliver his State Budget Address at 12:00 noon tomorrow before the entire state General Assembly.
(CHAMPAIGN) January was cold and dry, according to the recent weather information released by the Illinois State Water Survey at the University of Illinois in Champaign. The average temperature around the state last month was 23 degrees, which was 3.7 degrees below the 1991-2000 normal, making it the 38th coldest January on record. The statewide precipitation averaged an inch and fifteen-hundredths (1.15), just over an inch and a tenth (1.16) below the long-term statewide average, making it the 25th driest January on record. Learn more on the Illinois State Water Survey website online, at isws.illinois.edu.
(SPRINGFIELD) Nominations are now being accepted to find the coolest thing made in Illinois as the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) has launched its sixth annual “Makers Madness” bracket-style contest to determine the top product manufactured across the state. Entries will be accepted on the IMA’s makersmadnessil.com website now through Sunday, March 2nd, and voting to narrow the field to the top 16 products will begin two days later with further voting online. From sports equipment to transportation products to favorite beverages and/or foods, as long as it’s made in Illinois, it can be entered.