Kane County Reporter

State Senator Don DeWitte has raised concerns about the rapid growth of Illinois state government spending under Governor JB Pritzker, noting a nearly 40 percent increase over seven years. DeWitte criticized the Governor for attributing fiscal challenges to federal issues while continuing to expand state expenditures.

Last week, Governor Pritzker issued an executive order instructing agencies to cut up to four percent from their budgets and to focus on reducing non-essential spending, reviewing hiring practices, and preparing reserves in case revenue slows. In his remarks, Pritzker once again cited Washington as a source of the state's financial difficulties.

Senator DeWitte stated, "I believe the problem lies with ever-expanding state spending. Earlier this year, Governor Pritzker signed a budget totaling more than $55 billion and added over $1 billion in new taxes and revenue gimmicks on the backs of Illinois taxpayers and businesses." He also commented on economic conditions in Illinois: "While state payrolls and programs expand, private-sector job growth in Illinois continues to trail neighboring states. Families face rising costs of living, yet government spending keeps accelerating."

DeWitte further argued that record revenues show Illinois faces a spending issue rather than a lack of funds. "Illinois’ record revenues underscore that the state does not have a revenue problem but a spending problem. Families are forced to live within their means every day, but Springfield continues to grow government faster than taxpayers can keep up," he said.

In community outreach news, DeWitte concluded his 2025 event calendar with activities including a document shredding event in Pingree Grove. He thanked attendees for participating: "Thank you to everyone who came out to my document shredding event in Pingree Grove over the weekend. We had a steady stream of cars, as people safely disposed of sensitive paper documents in need of secure destruction."

The senator announced that his fall/winter coat drive is underway with donation locations at his West Dundee office as well as municipal buildings in St. Charles and Algonquin and at The Salvation Army of St. Charles. This year’s coat donations will benefit Kids in Need- McHenry County, Lazarus House Homeless Shelter, Wayside Center in Elgin, and The Salvation Army of St. Charles.

Additional upcoming events include another shredding event in Elburn on October 4—which will also collect food pantry items—and a Senior Fair scheduled for October 14 at Grand Oaks Recreation Building in Crystal Lake.

DeWitte was elected as Republican State Senator representing Illinois' 33rd Senate District in 2018 after succeeding Karen McConnaughay.

In education news, the Illinois State Board of Education is launching an eight-stop listening tour beginning October 16 to gather input on its draft Comprehensive Numeracy Plan aimed at improving student math performance statewide. Meetings are scheduled across several cities through November with registration available online; the plan's final version is expected by June 2026.

Officials say reading scores for grades three through eight have returned to pre-pandemic levels following adoption of literacy reforms; however, math scores remain below those from 2019.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has asked residents for help identifying sightings of the invasive spotted lanternfly—first found locally in 2023—as it poses risks to plants such as grapevines and fruit trees though not harmful to humans or animals. Residents spotting this pest should report findings via email with photos and location details so experts can track its spread.

Prevention efforts include checking outdoor items before travel and destroying any discovered insects or egg masses. Community vigilance is seen as key for protecting local agriculture from this threat.