Metro East Sun

Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) of the Illinois State Senate stated that Illinois lawmakers should address the financial issues of their constituents instead of allocating resources to projects like the state flag redesign. Plummer shared his statement on Facebook on August 30.

"State government can't figure out crime, property taxes, how to balance a budget, or how to stop people and businesses from fleeing IL," said Plummer, according to Facebook. "But the state government has the time, energy, and resources to run a campaign about Illinois' desperate needs for a new flag. There is no respect for history and no appreciation for our past. At the end of the day it's just a lame PR move by politicians who have neglected to solve any real problems so they default to gimmicks such as this."

According to WGN, the Illinois State Senate has formed an Illinois Flag Commission and has begun accepting submissions for potential new state flag designs. This commission was established following the 2023 passing of Senate Bill 1818, which aimed to create a new design for the Illinois flag. New ideas from the public will be accepted until October 18, after which the commission will select ten designs for public voting in 2025. After gathering public votes, the commission will present the results to Illinois lawmakers, who will decide whether to replace or retain the current flag design.

Capitol News Illinois reported in June 2024 on Governor Pritzker’s signing of a $53.1 billion spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget, described as the largest in Illinois state history, will increase spending in several areas, including education, infrastructure, and social services. Of this budget, $629 million is allocated towards healthcare programs for noncitizens and $182 million is designated to fund shelter, healthcare, and similar services for illegal migrants. Republican lawmakers voted against the budget proposal except for a budget cut proposal that would remove Illinois’ grocery tax.

The Illinois Policy Institute reported that Chicago's population has reached its lowest count since 1920. During the 1920 Census, the city’s population totaled 2,701,705; according to estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau cited by the Institute, Chicago's population was 2,664,452 as of July 2023. The city’s population has been declining for nine years, with polls indicating that 34% of Chicago residents would leave if given an opportunity; high taxes and affordability were named as reasons by 39% of respondents.

Time Out reported that Chicago is now officially one of the most costly cities in the world. According to Time Out's report based on Numbeo's Cost of Living Index by City data, Chicago ranks as the tenth most expensive city globally and seventh within the United States.

Senator Plummer has served as State Senator for the 54th Senate District of the Illinois General Assembly since his election in 2018. As Senator, he focuses on representing Southern Illinois as a strong and independent conservative voice for those he believes have been neglected by politicians in Springfield.