Bears Survey, State of the State, Coffee, Last Call for Intern Applications
- Janet
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
In This Issue:
State of the State & Budget Address Recap
Chicago Bears Survey
February Coffee & Conversation
Last Call: Internship Applications
Dear Friends,
As we move into the heart of this year’s legislative session, I want to keep you updated on the decisions being made in Springfield and how they affect our community.
In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find a recap of the Governor’s State of the State and Budget Address, including what it means for our district and the priorities I’m focused on as we review the proposed budget. I’m also asking for your input on a topic that’s generating a lot of conversation across Illinois: proposed state funding related to the Chicago Bears. Your perspective matters to me, and I hope you’ll take a moment to complete the brief survey.
You’ll also see an invitation to join us at our upcoming monthly community coffee. These gatherings are one of my favorite ways to connect directly, answer questions, and hear what’s on your mind. Finally, we’re approaching the deadline for summer internship applications in our office — if you know a student who wants to learn more about state government and public service, please encourage them to apply.
Thank you for staying engaged and involved. It’s an honor to serve you, and I look forward to continuing the conversation.
Sincerely,
Janet
State of the State & Budget Address Recap
Last week, Governor JB Pritzker delivered his annual State of the State and Budget Address, outlining his proposal for a $56 billion budget for the coming 2027 fiscal year. While this would be Illinois’ eighth consecutive balanced budget, it would also be one of the tightest in recent years as a result of uncertainty in federal funding. Costs are being shifted from the federal to the state level or being cut entirely, including $550 million in cuts to public schools and higher education.
No state can fully backfill cuts like these, but there are still actions we can take to mitigate many of their effects. The Governor’s proposed budget, for example, maintains funding for public education through the Evidence-Based Funding formula. He also proposed several targeted revenue changes, including adjustments to certain corporate and gaming taxes, to help close the projected budget gap without broad-based income tax increases.
The Governor also highlighted issues that will likely generate significant discussion this spring, including a proposed pause on new tax incentives for data centers due to energy demand concerns, and new policies related to classroom cell phone use and children’s online safety. Over the next several months, my colleagues and I in the General Assembly will carefully review the Governor’s proposal, hear from stakeholders, and work toward a final budget agreement before the end of session in May. Your responses to our district’s 2026 legislative survey remain crucial to my representation of you and your families. As always, I welcome your input as we move through this process.
Chicago Bears New Survey
In previous surveys, an overwhelming majority of respondents in our district made clear that our district generally does not support using public dollars to fund a stadium for the Chicago Bears given their status as a private, multi-billion-dollar organization. I take that feedback seriously, and it has informed my approach to this issue.
At the same time, recent developments--including the genuine possibility of the team relocating out of Illinois altogether, rather than simply moving within the state--raise new economic and regional considerations. The Chicago Bears are one of the NFL’s most storied franchises and generate significant economic activity in Illinois through game-day spending, tourism, hospitality, and related employment. Estimates of the team’s total annual economic impact on the region (research conducted by HR&A Advisors and commissioned by the Bears) are generally in the hundreds of millions of dollars when accounting for direct and indirect spending.
Given these changing circumstances, it’s appropriate to revisit the conversation and ensure an up-to-date understanding of where our community stands. Any potential state participation could involve substantial taxpayer resources. These are dollars that could otherwise support priorities such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, or property tax relief, and I remain committed to weighing those tradeoffs carefully. Please take a moment to share your feedback via the below survey link.
Coffee & Conversation: This Saturday
Join us this Saturday for our monthly Coffee & Conversation. With the recently released budget proposal and bills starting to flow through committees, we’ll have much to talk about when it comes to Springfield activity.Â
Please always feel free to drop by and chat or even just listen. This event is always one of my favorite meetings because of the diversity of views represented and the opportunity for all to learn from new perspectives.
What:Â February Coffee & Conversation
Where:Â 41st District Office, 475 River Bend Rd., Suite 500, Naperville
When:Â Saturday, February 28, 10:00-11:00 AM
Last Call: Internship Applications
Each summer, my office hosts paid part-time summer internships for high school and college students. We’re currently accepting applications for the 2026 summer class. Interns gain deep experience working in teams to research constituent and legislative issues, plan events, and engage with the community.Â
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Our goal is to provide interns with a safe and supportive environment that allows them to apply their initiative, creative and critical thinking, and communication skills, all while serving their community and learning if a job related to government and policy is right for them. If you or someone you know is interested, send a note to request an application to: info@repyangrohr.com
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The deadline for applications is February 28, 2026.
Below, members of the summer 2025 intern class on the Illinois House floor.
