Quincy Reporter

The Illinois General Assembly's Veto Session concluded on November 21, with limited legislative activity in both chambers. The session's end sets the stage for a "lame duck" session in early January before the 104th General Assembly convenes on January 8.

Illinois is facing a projected budget deficit exceeding $3 billion for the next fiscal year. Republican lawmakers attribute this shortfall to increased state spending driven by temporary federal funds and Governor Pritzker’s initiatives, including programs for noncitizens that cost taxpayers over $1 billion annually. To fund these programs, the Governor recently implemented $1 billion in tax increases.

State Senator Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) has called on the Governor to balance the upcoming budget without resorting to further tax hikes, stating that "struggling Illinoisans cannot afford to cover the cost of Governor Pritzker’s self-made budget crisis." Sen. Tracy encourages residents to express their opposition to new taxes by signing a petition available on her website.

As winter approaches, Illinois residents should anticipate higher heating bills compared to last year. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts rising natural gas and electricity costs due to expected colder temperatures. Households may see a $10 to $15 monthly increase in natural gas bills, depending on factors like home size and thermostat settings.

To mitigate costs, residents are advised to seal drafts, use programmable thermostats, and lower nighttime thermostat settings. Eligible households can apply for assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps low-income families with energy bills.

In other news, Illinois workers have a new avenue for recovering unpaid wages and penalties through I-CASH, thanks to a collaboration between the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office and the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL). A recent state law change allows IDOL to transfer unclaimed wages after three years if workers cannot be located. These funds are added to the Treasurer’s Unclaimed Property Trust Fund, allowing workers to search for their money online.

Lastly, Thanksgiving dinner costs in Illinois remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels despite some relief in turkey prices. The average cost of Thanksgiving dinner for ten people is $62.84 in Illinois, according to GOBankingRates data. Turkey prices have decreased due to increased production and fewer avian flu cases; however, other staples like stuffing and sweet potatoes remain costly.

Families looking for savings are encouraged by experts to explore special deals from retailers or compare store-brand options with name brands while being cautious of "shrinkflation," where package sizes decrease but prices stay constant.