Illinois’ Democratic billionaire governor – who supported an Illinois law that attempted to block outside campaign donors from supporting Republican judicial candidates in his state – has again waded into the politics of his state’s northern neighbor, donating at least half a million dollars, so far, to help Democrats hold their current majority on the Wisconsin state Supreme Court.

Indiana state Rep. Blake Johnson proposed an amendment that would require the commission to study the financial feasibility of only accepting Illinois counties that contribute more to the Illinois tax base than receiving from it. “Surely we’re not looking to turn Indiana into a charity state extending our benevolent hand to the places that have been economically dependent on the largesse of Springfield for decades,” Johnson said.

“As we look ahead at addressing issues including our pension system and the impending transit funding cliff, growing our tax base and enacting meaningful reforms that prioritize accountability and efficiency must continue to be a top priority,” Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce CEO Jack Lavin said.

But the governor said he did not invoke the Nazis lightly.

Prior to the address, the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget was projecting a $3 billion budget deficit as recently as last November. These projections estimated upcoming FY 2026 revenues would slightly decrease compared to 2025 levels. However, Pritzker’s proposed budget is now relying on upward revisions in expected revenues to fund most of his proposed spending increases. The budget proposal now claims the state is expecting revenues to increase by more than $1.5 billion compared to current year revenues. If these revenue projections do not materialize, taxpayers may be on the hook for future tax increases that the governor

“The trend underscores the need for state leaders to promote economic stability and employment.”

“I believe in building on what works,” Pritzker said. “So, despite the challenge we are facing this year, my budget proposal increases our commitment to evidence-based funding for public education so that we put new resources in underfunded schools first.”

Bridget Early, Johnson’s deputy mayor for labor relations, emailed several top education officials a presentation dated Feb. 13 that outlines the next steps the school board can take to make the controversial $175 million pension payment that is currently paid by the city. Solutions include borrowing and shifting responsibility to the state, which pays for all other school districts’ pension costs.

A bill moving forward at the Illinois Capitol will allow agriculture courses to satisfy vocational education requirements for high school students.

Specifically, Pritzker is pushing to ban cell phones and other wireless devices in classrooms during instructional periods. “More focus on learning will bring even greater success for kids across the state,” he said.

Illinois Commerce Commission Executive Director Jonathan Feipel said the state needs to develop additional sources of renewable energy and efficiency programs. “We hear a lot from different sectors that the only solution here is to walk back the CEJA decarbonization goals,” said Feipel. “I don’t feel like we are in that place today.”

Rep. Carol Ammons also noted that she hopes the House Energy and Environment Committee puts a renewed emphasis on diverse workforce development “to help us get to a clean energy economy.”

Consultant group Segal estimated costs at nearly $30 billion to implement House Bill 5909, legislation recently introduced in the Illinois House and Senate to drastically expand benefits for state workers hired since 2010. The bill makes changes that put newer hires closer to the overpromised retirement benefits of state workers hired before 2010.

The legislation would establish a daily limit for transactions on crypto ATMs, cap fees to “prevent predatory charges” and require receipts showing the dollar value of digital assets and any fees collected, according to a fact sheet provided by Pritzker’s administration.

The goal, according to the governor’s office, would be to make four-year degrees more accessible to working adults, particularly those who don’t live near a public university. Martin Torres, Pritzker’s first assistant deputy governor for education, said the governor’s office will push for legislation this year to allow community colleges to offer programs in subject areas where they have identified unmet workforce needs in their region.

Jim Dey: “People who study these things say grief consists of five stages: denial, bargaining, depression, anger and acceptance. Illinoisans’ grief over the state’s fallen status follows a similar pattern.”