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As you’ve probably noticed, this State of the State speech looks a lot different than it has in the past. Standing inside a crowded room to deliver a formal address is not possible right now – nor would it be appropriate. But the people of Illinois need to hear from their Governor about where we are and where we’re headed – regardless of how unprecedented the times.
Nearly no one alive today has lived through anything that could have prepared them for the past year. To gain perspective on these last 12 months, I looked for an anchoring moment in our history – a moment that can remind us of what we can endure and survive together.
Generous, heroic, and strong, always : Read Gov. Pritzker s State of the State Address
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Winnebago County health administrator Sandra Martell (left) tour a vaccination center at Auburn High School earlier this month. Pritzker on Wednesday proposed a $41.6 billion state budget for the coming fiscal year.Scott P. Yates | Rockford Register Star (AP)
Good afternoon to the esteemed lawmakers who are joining us remotely, and to all the people of Illinois, who have endured so much this past year. Joining me today are two people essential to my work as governor: the incomparable lieutenant governor, Juliana Stratton, and my remarkable wife, First Lady MK Pritzker.
Gov. JB Pritzker will give his Illinois budget address on Wednesday, and there s already a major budget battle between the two parties brewing. Two months ago I asked Republicans in the General Assembly for their proposals to close this year s budget deficit. I was met with silence. Apparently their idea of bipartisanship ends when hard choices must be made, Pritzker said. The general funds budget I present today for Fiscal Year 2022 spends $1.8 billion less than FY2021. It reflects $400 million in additional cuts to appropriations, a hiring freeze, flat operational spending, full required pension payments, and the closure of unaffordable corporate loopholes, the governor added.
Unemployment agency responds to criticism over delays, deficit
Sarah Mansur, Capitol News Illinois
Feb. 12, 2021
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Acting Illinois Department of Employment Security Director Kristin Richards speaks at a virtual hearing of the Illinois Senate Labor Committee to answer questions about the department s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.Jerry Nowicki | Capitol News Illinois
Representatives of the Illinois Department of Employment Security testified before the Senate Labor Committee about fraudulent claims, continued delays in responding to unemployment applicants and a multi-billion dollar deficit in the fund that pays out benefits.
Acting Illinois Department of Employment Security Director Kristin Richards and members of the department’s staff fielded questions about the backlog that individuals face when they contact the agency with questions about their claims.