This week was a full schedule of committees, Session, and visitors to the Capitol.
I had the honor of recognizing Dr. Patricia Bath during Women’s History Month. You may listen to my comments on the HOUSE Floor here:
Rep. Jacobs honors Ophthalmologist Dr. Patricia Bath for Women’s History Month
The Illinois Supreme Court Moves Fair Map Lawsuit Forward
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie filed a brief with the Illinois Supreme Court last week to further argue the case for fair maps in the State of Illinois. This week, Leader McCombie joined Deputy Minority Leader Ryan Spain and Assistant Minority Leader Dan Ugaste to discuss the latest litigation update, and released the following statement:
“This is about reinstating voters’ constitutional rights that have been violated by an extreme, partisan gerrymandered map. This is not a Republican issue, but an Illinois voter issue. The voices of residents throughout our state must be restored, and we are asking the Court to deliver that fair representation.”
The newly filed brief, initial complaint, and expert analysis can be found at RedoRemap.com.
Chicago Tribune Editorial: Illinois Supreme Court, it’s time – finally – to act on gerrymandering. The court should put aside any partisan leanings and do the right thing for Illinois voters.
For better or worse, November 2024 elections were a triumph for Republicans nationwide. And margins for the GOP in deep-blue Illinois were no exception. For the Illinois House, Republicans received a total 45% of votes statewide, a considerably better showing than in 2020, the previous presidential election year, when the GOP got just 39% of the Illinois House vote.
But in terms of seats in Springfield’s lower chamber, nothing changed after November. Literally nothing. The Illinois Supreme Court should accept this case and determine whether, in fact, too many Illinois voters are being unconstitutionally deprived of their electoral franchise.
Read the rest of the Chicago Tribune’s editorial.
Illinois Republicans pleased redistricting lawsuit moving forward | Local News | advantagenews.com
Massive $737 million State budget shortfall projected for FY26.
The projection was made by the nonpartisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA), the budget-forecasting arm of the Illinois General Assembly. The negative forecast was presented to lawmakers by CGFA economists on Tuesday, March 4.
CGFA sees relatively weak private-sector job growth for Illinois in the months ahead. This job growth slowdown is expected to generate disappointing Illinois tax payments and cash flows during the next twelve-month-long fiscal period. This shortfall would be more than $1.2 billion were it not for a series of “hidden” tax increases and one-time money transfers located deep within Gov. Pritzker’s proposed budget. Fiscal Year 2026 will begin on July 1, 2025.
State announces plans to borrow $725 million. Illinois, which continues to feel the effects of a subpar credit rating relative to its competitors among the 50 states, will work through a fiscal platform called “Build Illinois” to sell the large quantity of bonds scheduled to be released. In “Build Illinois” bonds the debt is specifically backed and will be financed by the sales and use tax revenues of the state of Illinois. This means that whenever consumers buy taxable goods or services, such as motor fuel or fast-food meals, the sales tax added to the required payments can be used to repay the “Build Illinois” debt. Lenders consider this to be a relatively secure funding stream and are willing to lend money to the State on this basis.
Proceeds from the $725 million State debt issuance are expected to be used for capital projects, with development of Illinois’ new Chicago-based “quantum campus” at the top of the list, followed by a newly proposed $500 million initiative to clean up and offload surplus State property that is in disrepair. There will also be some matching funds for school construction projects, including buildings at some Illinois colleges and universities. Many Illinois institutions of higher education say they have been cash-starved for many years and are asking for help from the State to build new buildings or to rebuild/refit existing structures.
Thank you to all of the families who visited the Capitol on Thursday to show their opposition to HB 2827! And thank you for the homemade cherry pie!
Homeschool advocates rally for freedom against burdensome mandates. Hundreds of families and supporters rallied in Springfield on Thursday to express their support for homeschool families. House Republicans stand with homeschool families against HB 2827, legislation that is threatening the freedom of homeschool families to teach their children according to their family values.
House Bill 2827 greatly increases regulations on homeschool families and programs, sets onerous new provisions for how homeschool programs should operate, mandates declaration forms to be submitted to the local school district that the student would otherwise attend, and establishes truancy punishments for non-compliance.
HB 2827 has been assigned to a Committee Hearing for next Wednesday, March 12 at 8:00am.
Protect Homeschool Freedom!
Stop the Illinois Democrats’ ATTACK on homeschool families. Join us in sending a message to Springfield that intrusive mandates and punitive measures for families making the choice to homeschool must be stopped. Parents deserve the right to make their own decisions regarding their children’s education. This is just another attempt by big government to expand their power and influence over your parental rights. Please make your voice heard by signing our petition to end the attacks on Illinois families’ choices about how their children are raised and educated.
Carbondale High “Skills USA” Students Visit Capitol
State Representative Paul Jacobs (R-Pamona) welcomed students to the Capitol today who are participants with the Skills USA Program from Carbondale High School. Skills USA is the #1 workforce development organization for students. They empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. Learn more about the Skills USA program here.
ILLINOIS STATE FLAG
Current State Flag is Decisive Winner in Flag Redesign Contest.
The public overwhelmingly favors retaining the current state flag, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced following the five-week voting period to consider a redesign of the flag.
Voters had the option to choose their favorite design from one of the Illinois Flag Commission’s Top 10 new designs, or one of three former flag designs, including the current one, which has not had a major redesign in the past century.
Of the nearly 385,000 votes that were received, over 165,000, or 43 percent, were cast for the current Illinois State flag, which received more votes than the next five top designs combined.
Around the District…
SIU Named a “Research 1” University!
Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU) has officially been designated as a Research 1 (R1) institution, placing it among the top research universities in the nation, as announced on February 13, 2025.
SIU Carbondale achieved the R1 designation, which is awarded by the Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education. The R1 designation recognizes SIU Carbondale as a top research university, joining the ranks of other prestigious institutions across the country.
This achievement highlights SIU Carbondale’s strong research activity and doctoral programs, and it is expected to boost the university’s global reputation, research funding, and ability to attract top faculty and students.
To achieve R1 status, institutions must meet benchmarks in research activity and expenditures, including awarding at least 70 research doctorates and spending at least $50 million on research. In 2023, SIU Carbondale awarded 102 research doctorates and spent $58.3 million on research, exceeding the R1 criteria.
SIU Carbondale is one of only six R1 universities in the state of Illinois, along with Loyola University Chicago, Northwestern, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and U of I Chicago. SIU Carbondale is the only R1 institution in rural Illinois and within a 100-mile radius, positioning it as a regional innovation leader.
Active Shooter Meeting – Carbondale
First responders from around the region (police, fire, and first aid providers) train for active shooter events and use simulations to practice responding to a variety of possible situations. Dispatching teams to emergencies.
Building Bi-Partisan Bridges in the General Assembly
Between serious debates on issues impacting the people of Illinois, Rep. Paul Jacobs works to build bi-partisan bridges with members from the other side of the political aisle. The actions of the General Assembly impact real people no matter which political party they may identify.
Please share this update with your family, friends, and neighbors you think might appreciate knowing more about their state government.
If you have any questions or concerns or need help with a state program or department, please contact my office at 618-559-7018 or online at RepPaulJacobs.com.
Sincerely,
Rep. Paul Jacobs