Grundy Reporter

Republican Senators are urging Governor JB Pritzker to prioritize his responsibilities in Illinois instead of focusing on his national profile. The call comes as concerns grow over the mismanagement and failures within multiple state agencies under the Pritzker Administration. During a press conference on November 1, Republican Senators highlighted the ongoing issues and called on the Governor to refocus his attention on the job he was elected to do.

One of the main concerns raised by the Senators is the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). Recent investigative news reports have revealed high-profile resignations and terminations within the agency, as well as exorbitant salaries funded by taxpayers. One assistant, for example, was reportedly being paid up to $60,000 per month.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is also under scrutiny. Delays in license renewals have negatively impacted professionals such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, social workers, healthcare workers, and business owners across the state.

Furthermore, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) continues to face issues of mismanagement and neglect for vulnerable children. The agency's director recently resigned after being found in contempt of court multiple times.

The Illinois Department of Human Services has also been problematic. Despite projections indicating that the agency's Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults and Seniors program would exceed its $550 million budget, Governor Pritzker insisted he could keep the program within its limits. However, the program is now projected to cost over $800 million, exceeding the budget by more than 50%.

Additionally, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) has come under fire. A recent audit requested by Senate Republicans revealed that IDES made over $5 billion in improper payments during the pandemic, while many Illinoisans struggled to receive their rightful benefits. Moreover, evidence suggests that the Pritzker Administration instructed employees to ignore red flags of fraud and other federal guidelines.

These agency failures are just a few examples of the challenges Illinois taxpayers are facing. Senate Republicans are urging Governor Pritzker to shift his focus from national politics and take significant action to reform these agencies. They argue that the problems have been exacerbated under the Governor's sole control.

To address these concerns, the Legislative Audit Commission (LAC) will hold a hearing on November 7 to review the recent audit covering IDES and the Administration's handling of the state's unemployment system during the pandemic. Senate Republicans plan to file a resolution at the hearing, calling for a similar audit to investigate staffing issues at IEMA. They will also introduce legislation in the full Senate to support this audit.

State Senator Sue Rezin expressed her disappointment in Governor Pritzker's priorities, stating that while legislators were working on solutions for the people of Illinois, the Governor was focused on foreign policy and national politics in Washington D.C. Senator Rezin and her fellow Republican legislators are urging Governor Pritzker to shift his focus back to Illinois and "Think Illinois."

It remains to be seen how Governor Pritzker will respond to these calls for action. Illinois taxpayers are eagerly awaiting a resolution to the ongoing issues within the state agencies and hope that their elected officials can work together to address these challenges effectively.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://senatorrezin.com/2023/11/06/republican-senators-encouraging-pritzker-to-think-illinois/