Rockford Sun

SPRINGFIELD – A recent report from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) has projected a significant budget deficit for Illinois. The state is facing a $3.16 billion shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year, sparking discussions about potential tax increases.

State Senator Dave Syverson, representing Cherry Valley, attributed the financial challenges to increased government spending since Governor JB Pritzker assumed office. He noted that state expenditures have risen by 32 percent under Pritzker's leadership. Earlier this year, Democratic leaders passed a $53 billion budget which included nearly $1 billion in additional taxes and more than $1 billion in benefits for noncitizens.

Senator Syverson expressed his concerns stating, “We warned over and over last year that the Democratic spending was putting Illinois into financial crisis, and we were brushed off. Well, you can’t brush off the $3 billion dollar shortfall Illinois now faces.” He added that this situation was avoidable had there been cooperation to pass responsible budgets in previous years.

In other developments, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is providing support with college application and financial aid processes through workshops across the state. The U.S. Department of Education will release the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in December. Completing FAFSA is crucial for accessing various forms of student financial aid including scholarships and grants like the Pell Grant and Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant.

Additionally, November marks Adoption Awareness Month as celebrated by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The department acknowledges thousands of families who have adopted 19,347 children over the past decade. Special Adoption Day celebrations are scheduled in Chicago and Marion on November 22, Rockford on November 23, and Edwardsville on December 27 to finalize adoptions across courtrooms statewide.

Last fiscal year saw 2,184 adoptions finalized in Illinois while approximately 18,850 youth remain in care waiting for permanent homes. Those interested in becoming adoptive parents can find more information by visiting dcfs.illinois.gov.