One week after the General Assembly passed the FY 2024 spending plan, questions remain about whether the budget will truly be balanced at the year’s end. Senator Bennett pointed to hidden spending found throughout the budget that could put the state’s spending well over expected revenues.One example of possible “phantom” spending in this year’s budget, which also served as a major […]
Opinions
Pastor Steve Jones: The Primary Motivation for a Happy Life
I concluded my previous article by looking at the meaning of Jesus’ question to Peter in John 21:15. Let’s pick up with Peter’s response to the first of Jesus’ three questions which pertain to how much Peter genuinely loves Jesus: Question. “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Response from Peter: “Yes, Lord; you know that […]
Illinois State Senator Tom Bennett: Unbalanced, Partisan Budget Passes
Late in the evening (just before midnight) on May 25th, the Illinois Senate passed a budget for the coming year, which was then passed by the Illinois House early Saturday morning (just after midnight). Following what has unfortunately become the norm in recent years, the final budget was filed the same evening it passed the Senate, with little time to […]
Illinois State Senator Tom Bennett: Bennett Co-sponsors Proposal to Help Schools Prepare for Emergencies
Bipartisan Plan to Help First Responders in Crisis SituationsIn emergencies, seconds can mean the difference between life and death, especially when dealing with children. State Senator Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City) is co-sponsoring a bipartisan plan to create detailed maps of schools to help police and first responders during emergencies. The maps could provide critical assistance to law enforcement and paramedics […]
Pastor Steve Jones: “Do You Love Me More than These?”
In my previous article we looked at the importance of prioritizing our lives, a truth which has more to do with who we put first rather than, necessarily, what we put first. God’s word given in the scriptures should always be our priority. Sadly—because of the intense pressures of the situation—Peter denied Jesus three times by prioritizing what he wanted […]
Illinois State Senator Tom Bennett: Bennett Passes Legislation to Ease Access to Assisted Living Facilities for Certain Diabetic Individuals
The Illinois Senate has passed legislationsponsored by State Senator Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City) that updates requirements for assisted living facilities, to help individuals who require sliding scale insulin treatments.“I believe this is a common-sense change that can make a real difference in terms of access to care for some individuals,” said Bennett. “I want to make sure that people who […]
Hoping for ‘good weather, great turnout’ for Paxton’s annual downtown cruise
I was recently asked to pen my thoughts on the upcoming “Draggin’ Main: The Cruise on Market” event here in Paxton to give some insight into what it means to our community and what to expect from it. Draggin’ Main will take place in downtown Paxton on Saturday, May 20, from 3 to 8 p.m. Everyone is invited to take […]
Illinois State Senator Tom Bennett: Senate Republicans Call for Reprioritization of Issues
With less than three weeks remaining in the spring legislative session, Senate Republicans joined for a press conference last week to urge majority party lawmakers to reevaluate their priorities. Republicans pointed to misplaced priorities in areas of health care, the care of at-risk children with Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) involvement, and an energy agenda that has some Illinoisans […]
Pastor Steve Jones: The Importance of Prioritizing Our Lives
I once read about a man named Ivy Lee. Mr. Lee was a management consultant, as well as a forthright and self-confident man. In the 1930’s Ivy Lee, somehow, was able to secure a private interview with Charles Schwab—not the owner of the investment brokerage firm that many think of today—but Charles Schwab who was the president of Bethlehem Steel. […]
Illinois State Senator Tom Bennett: Bennett Files Legislation Calling for Long-Term Plan for Pontiac Correctional Center
Following the recent closure of numerous buildings at the Pontiac Correctional Center, along with local concerns over the site’s future, State Senator Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City) has filed legislation calling for the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) to provide a long-term plan for the facility.“The Pontiac Correctional Center is an economic anchor for Livingston County and an important part of […]
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