IVCA Provides Updates for State Legislative Issues – 02/14/2024
Illinois Venture Capital Association Illinois Legislative Report
David Stricklin / Stricklin & Associates
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
NO VALENTINE’S WISHES FROM JURIES AND JUDGES IN ILLINOIS CORRUPTION CASES
This week was a commemorative edition of news for Illinois political figures who have fallen under the prosecution of the federal government for public corruption. On Monday a federal judge ruled that despite many mitigating personal qualities, former chief of staff to former Speaker Madigan would spend time in prison because of his testimony before a federal grand jury investigating the former speaker and others. Not to be outdone, a federal jury convicted a former state representative and state senator for her actions which were extended from the Madigan case.
FORMER REP. AND SENATOR COLLINS CONVICTED
Meanwhile, the trial of another former elected official is finally underway, where former downstate Republican Sam McCann is finally on trial:
McCann stands accused of illegally using campaign funds for personal expenses, including paying two mortgages, financing multiple vehicles and vacations, fraudulently cutting himself checks for work not performed, and double-dipping on reimbursement for miles driven.
MCCANN TRIED ON CHARGES OF ABUSE OF FUNDS
BUDGET ADDRESS ON DECK
The Super Bowl is over, pitchers and catchers are reporting to Spring Training, so that means it’s time for the governor of Illinois to hold the annual Budget/State of the State address. Governor JB Pritzker will speak to a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly next Wednesday, February 21. Foreshadowing from the governor and legislative leaders has lowered expectations for big new spending programs often favored by legislators heading to the ballot box in March and November. Still, it would be shocking if there weren’t a few new ideas and funding including in the address. The speech is streamed online, and copies of the budget book will be available here:
ILLINOIS OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
The economic projections and trends underlying the budget are here: