East Central Reporter

Illinois is facing financial difficulties as spending on illegal migrants continues to rise. According to a recently revealed report, the state has already spent over $708 million on illegal migrants since August 2022. This includes an additional $160 million committed by Governor Pritzker to Chicago for migrants alone. The total does not even include non-citizen healthcare costs, which are expected to reach over $831 million, exceeding the budgeted amount by $300 million. The state simply cannot afford to be a sanctuary state.

Meanwhile, Democrats are deflecting blame and pointing fingers at right-wing extremism for the chaos caused by their own reckless policies. The disastrous consequences of these policies are clear, and it is time for accountability.

In another development, the U.S. Supreme Court has docketed a challenge to Illinois' gun ban. State Rep. Dan Caulkins' case, along with a Naperville gun case, has been placed on the docket at the high court. The plaintiffs are requesting an injunction to prevent the state from enforcing the gun ban law while the court considers the cases. Justice Amy Coney Barrett has ordered the state to respond to the plaintiff's motion by December 6th.

Illinois' licensing requirements for professions are also exacerbating the issue of poverty. Research shows that changing an occupation from unlicensed to entirely licensed results in a 29% reduction in employment. Illinois is worse off than six other Midwestern states when it comes to occupational licensing, placing a burden on below-average income earners and hindering their ability to escape poverty.

The issue of unemployment and violent crime is also intertwined in Illinois. Governor J.B. Pritzker's portrayal of the state's current situation is being challenged as dishonest. His refusal to acknowledge high taxes, massive pension debts, and the abysmal education system is offensive to the residents of Illinois. The reality is far from the spin that Pritzker is attempting to sell.

Furthermore, Democrats have neglected to address the fate of Illinois' only publicly funded scholarship program, the Invest in Kids Act. Democrat House Speaker Chris Welch failed to bring the program's future up for a vote during the fall veto session. The Illinois State Board of Education also ignored the Act's mandate to publish annual reports tracking the scholarship recipients' educational gains. This lack of information left lawmakers uninformed and susceptible to pressure from special interest groups who opposed the program.

Lastly, a study of cell phone activity in downtown Chicago paints a different picture of the state's economic health and recovery. While Governor Pritzker claims that everything is fine, the data tells a different story.

Illinois is facing numerous challenges that require immediate attention. The state's financial situation is being strained by the rising costs of illegal migration, while other issues such as gun bans, licensing requirements, unemployment, and education are contributing to the overall decline. It is crucial for policymakers to address these issues and find sustainable solutions for the betterment of Illinois and its residents.

Click this link to access more information: https://repcmiller.com/2023/12/04/weekly-newsletter-from-rep-miller/