West Central Reporter

State Sen. Jil Tracy shared her latest weekly update on the latest issues before the Senate in a Facebook post this week. 

In her week in review post, shared on Facebook, the lawmaker offered her position on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plans for the unemployment trust fund debt. 

“Pritzker’s unemployment payment leaves businesses, employees on the hook,” she said on her website. 

According to the website, the governor recently used a press conference to highlight a $450 million fund sweep in tax dollars from the state’s Unemployed Insurance trust fund, with Tracy alleging that the fund was drained during the pandemic due to a spike in unemployment claims, which the administration failed to prepare for.

“After the recent payment, the state’s UI trust fund still faces a debt of $1.3 billion, leaving Illinois as one of only five states still owing money on its UI trust fund loan,” Tracy wrote. 

Tracy also noted that the hiring sign is out at the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

"The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is hiring snow removal operators and winter salaried highway maintainers,” Tracy continued. “The jobs, which are often referred to as snowbirds, involve operating IDOT snowplows to help clear the roads during winter weather.”

According to Tracy's website, the IDOT maintains more than 45,000 miles of roads, and applicants can submit their applications online at illinoisjobs2web.com.

Tracy also pointed out that the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) continues to seek nominations for its school board recognition. 

“The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is asking members of the public to nominate outstanding school board members for the Thomas Lay Burroughs Award."

Tracy also noted that the award, presented annually, recognizes a deserving member of an Illinois board of education, with an accomplishment in either personal leadership, closing achievement caps or supporting educational excellence, resolving crises. 

The website also noted that nominations can be submitted online to www.isbe.net.