State, federal issues take center stage

State Rep. Jason Bunting of the 106th district goes down to Springfield as a father, farmer and small business owner.

He reminded those attending Monday's Livingston County Farm Bureau Legislative Breakfast of this. Bunting said he is working on farmer safety, stop signs with LEDs and rolling back statewide standards for wind and solar, saying it needs to go back to local control.

"This session is a little bit of a weird session," Bunting noted.

The House is only scheduled to be in session 46 days when it is usually 60-65 days. With this being an Election year, Bunting does not anticipate anything earth-shattering or controversial moving through between now and March 17.

According to Bunting, Illinois is broke with a shortfall.

"We have a spending problem and not a revenue problem."

He is unsure where the money is going to come from for a billion dollar budget increase. Bunting feels losing the Chicago Bears would not play out well for Gov. Pritzker in November.

"We've got to find a way to govern," adds Bunting.

State Senator Chris Balkema of the 53rd District, meanwhile, remains positive about the future.

"I am super encouraged about the future of Illinois," he told attendees.

Balkema said he is not giving up as Illinois has many great days ahead. He wants spending better managed and to keep up with national growth. He believes Illinois has just a fraction of the growth which is occurring in neighboring states. Balkema wants the estate tax to get done this spring.