Carbondale Reporter

State government spending in Illinois has increased by nearly 40 percent over the past seven years under Governor JB Pritzker, according to recent reports. This comes as families across the state continue to face economic challenges. Despite record tax collections, government expenditures have continued to grow, and Governor Pritzker has attributed some of the state’s fiscal difficulties to actions at the federal level.

Last week, Governor Pritzker signed an executive order directing state agencies to reduce their budgets by up to 4 percent. The order calls for curbing non-essential spending, reviewing hiring decisions, and preparing reserves in case revenue growth slows. During this announcement, Pritzker again pointed to Washington as a source of fiscal strain.

State Senator Terri Bryant offered a different perspective on the situation. "The problem lies with state spending," she said. Earlier this year, Governor Pritzker approved a budget exceeding $55 billion and introduced more than $1 billion in new taxes and revenue measures affecting taxpayers and businesses.

Additional proposals from the governor and his supporters have included a $1.50 delivery tax on packages, new service taxes for haircuts, car repairs, home maintenance services, and a digital advertising tax aimed at small businesses.

While public sector payrolls and programs expand in Illinois, private-sector job growth continues to lag behind neighboring states. Many families are experiencing rising living costs while government spending continues to increase.

Senator Bryant stated that high revenues indicate that Illinois does not face a revenue issue but rather a spending one: "Families are forced to live within their means every day, but Springfield continues to grow government faster than taxpayers can keep up."

In education news, Illinois officials will launch an eight-stop listening tour in October focused on improving student math performance statewide—five years after pandemic-related school closures disrupted learning. The Illinois State Board of Education will seek feedback on its draft “Comprehensive Numeracy Plan,” which aims to give educators evidence-based strategies for teaching math.

The first session is scheduled for October 16 at the board’s Springfield office; other stops include Naperville (October 22), Rockford (October 23), a virtual meeting (November 4), Champaign (November 5), Edwardsville (November 12), Carbondale (November 13), and Chicago (November 18). All meetings begin at 4 p.m., with online registration available. A final version of the plan is expected by June 2026.

Testing data shows that reading scores for grades three through eight have returned to pre-pandemic levels—a recovery attributed by officials to the Comprehensive Literacy Plan adopted recently—while math scores remain below those from 2019.

Attendance at Illinois’ two major state fairs topped one million visitors in 2025. The Springfield fair drew over 723,000 people in August—the second-largest turnout recorded—while Du Quoin set its own attendance record with more than 282,000 visitors. Combined livestock sales reached nearly $294,000 across both fairs.

Entertainment acts such as Megan Moroney’s concert set new records for Grandstand ticket sales in Springfield; Little River Band and TESLA were among those drawing crowds in Du Quoin. The Illinois Product Expo also reported increased revenue compared with last year.

A study by the International Association of Fairs and Expos estimates that fairs across several Midwestern states contribute $2.7 billion annually in regional economic impact; about one-third of Americans attend a fair each year according to their findings.

Looking ahead, organizers have announced that next year’s Illinois State Fair will run August 13–23 in Springfield.

The Department of Agriculture is asking residents for help combating the invasive spotted lanternfly—a pest first confirmed locally in 2023 now appearing more frequently throughout Illinois. While harmless to humans or animals directly, it poses risks for grapevines, fruit trees, maples and other plants important both agriculturally and environmentally.

Officials urge residents who spot the insect or its egg masses—often found outdoors or on vehicles—to report sightings via email with photographs and location details so experts can monitor spread patterns effectively. Prevention efforts rely heavily on early detection; residents are advised always check outdoor items before traveling or storing them away.

Senator Bryant emphasized community participation: "Community involvement is essential in stopping the spread of the spotted lanternfly and protecting Illinois agriculture." She encouraged vigilance among all residents when it comes to reporting possible infestations.

In national news related to Illinoisans: Savanna native Cameron Jones was selected as one of NASA’s ten astronaut candidates for its class of 2025 from over eight thousand applicants nationwide. Jones is currently serving as an Air Force Academic Fellow at DARPA following experience as a test pilot with more than sixteen hundred flight hours—including combat missions—and holds degrees from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign along with advanced training through Air Force schools.

The new astronaut class began training at NASA Johnson Space Center this September; their program includes survival skills instruction alongside robotics workups prior eventual assignments supporting missions aboard International Space Station or future lunar/Mars projects.

Bryant was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois’ Senate District 58th seat starting her term in January 2021 after Paul Schimpf stepped down.

(https://senatorbryant.com/about/)