June has been full of farming, community events, and more. Here’s what you should know.
109th District Communities Granted OSFM Small Equipment Funding
A total of $6 million was awarded to 260 fire departments/districts and EMS providers across the state. The Small Equipment Grant program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 each for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment.
“These grants are used to upgrade lifesaving firefighting and ambulance equipment so that our first responders may be best prepared to take on whatever obstacles they face,” Meier said. “These first responders, many of whom are volunteers, go to great lengths to keep us all sage. Grants like these are an important way to improve fire departments, especially those in rural areas of Southern Illinois, who oftentimes get overlooked.”
109th District communities receiving funding in the June 4 announcement include:
Clinton County:
Aviston Fire Protection District
Clin-Clair Fire District (Albers)
Sugar Creek Ambulance Service (Trenton)
Santa Fe Fire Protection District (Bartelso)
Madison County:
City of Highland
Olive Fire Protection District (Livingston)
Marine Community Fire Protection District
Village of Maryville
Hamel Fire Protection District
St. Jacob Township Fire Protection District
Troy Fire Protection District
St. Clair County:
New Athens Fire Protection District
Washington County:
Washington County Ambulance (Nashville)
Addieville Community Fire Protection District
Most Illinois fire departments, fire protection districts, township fire departments, and stand-alone, nonprofit ambulance service providers were eligible to apply if they fall under program requirements. This program is an innovative approach to a problem that has long caused difficulties for departments and ambulance services. The purpose is to allow eligible applicants the opportunity to purchase small equipment they may not otherwise be able to purchase.
Pritzker Signs FY27 Budget
Pritzker Signs FY27 Budget
I’m disappointed that Governor Pritzker signed a budget that will raise taxes, hands out pet projects to Democrats, and gives more money to illegal immigrants. Illinoisans deserve a budget that puts them first and provides real solutions to the rising cost of living, and this budget puts Pritzker’s political agenda first, not the people he serves.
Expanding the market for domestic soybeans
“I’ve burned biodiesel in my tractors and combines for years,” Meier said. “Why wouldn’t I support the product that’s supporting us?”
Rather than taking responsibility for the challenges facing Illinois, Governor Pritzker continues to point fingers and shift blame. Whether it’s the state budget, affordability, immigration, or now the future of the Chicago Bears, the Governor’s response is the same: blame someone else.
Governor Pritzker’s Pattern of Deflection:
Budget: Governor Pritzker blames the federal government for Illinois’ budget challenges, despite state spending increasing by nearly 40% during his tenure.
SNAP: The Governor criticizes federal officials for removing people from SNAP benefits, while Illinois continues to struggle with an error rate exceeding 11%.
Redistricting: Governor Pritzker accuses Republicans of attempting to rig elections, yet he signed the most partisan legislative maps in the nation into law.
Affordability: The Governor points to Washington for rising costs, while Illinois families have faced 57 tax and fee hikes during his administration and continue to bear the highest overall tax burdens in the country.
Immigration: Governor Pritzker has called for cooperation with federal law enforcement, yet his own administration supported policies that limit that cooperation.
Chicago Bears: As the Bears explore options that could take them out of Illinois, Governor Pritzker has sought to blame the team rather than recognize he was mostly absent in Springfield this session to deal with the negotiations.
Illinois families deserve leadership that takes responsibility and delivers results, not excuses. While Governor Pritzker continues to shift blame, Illinoisans are left to deal with higher costs, growing uncertainty, and missed opportunities.
House Republicans unanimously opposed Governor Pritzker’s latest budget, which includes $800 million in new taxes, and have proposals aimed at keeping the Chicago Bears in Illinois while protecting taxpayers and promoting economic growth.
Around the 109th
It is an honor to serve.
It’s an honor to be your State Representative! I look forward to spending the summer in the district – if you see me out stop me and say hello!
Charlie