South Central Reporter

Senator Plummer expressed his satisfaction with the decision from the Illinois Department of Human Services to pause proposed budget cuts for the Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled (I/DD) community, stating, “Pausing these cuts is a good step in the right direction." This move comes after strong bipartisan pushback from lawmakers concerned about the impact on the vulnerable community.

The discontinuation of the popular Invest in Kids scholarship program has led to the closure of four private schools in Illinois. Democratic leadership's decision not to extend the program has caused ripple effects across the state, affecting schools like Notre Dame Academy, St. Odilo, St. Frances of Rome, and St. Ann. Despite bipartisan support for the program, it ultimately expired without legislative action, prompting Senator Plummer to advocate for new legislation to revive it.

A state task force report revealed the decline of local news in Illinois, with more than a third of counties relying on a single news source. The Illinois Local Journalism Task Force presented policy recommendations to prevent further news deserts in the state, including ideas such as tax credits and state-funded journalism scholarships.

In efforts to highlight the history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois, the Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force was established to create a comprehensive record of the state's involvement in the historic network. The task force aims to develop a statewide plan to connect existing projects and create new opportunities for education and tourism surrounding this part of Illinois history.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced the availability of Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grants, with $6.4 million designated to support the mid-level food supply chain. These grants aim to assist smaller farms, ranches, underserved producers, and communities by funding equipment and infrastructure improvements.

The various initiatives and advocacy efforts led by Senator Plummer and task forces in Illinois reflect a commitment to addressing critical issues affecting the state's most vulnerable populations, historical legacies, and food systems.