THE ROAD TO RECOVERY — Dear Reader, It’s almost hard to believe that more than two years have passed since the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped our lives. So many of us have witnessed this virus wreak havoc on family members and friends. My heart goes out to all of those who have lost loved ones and…

COMPTROLLER’S OFFICE MARKS KEY MILESTONE ON THE ROAD TO FISCAL RECOVERY — Let’s hop in the time machine and travel to June 2000. The world made it through its Y2K fears. Lawmakers gathered at the State Capitol to temporarily repeal the state’s 5% sales tax on gasoline and give motorists relief from rising gas prices. …

ALEXANDER-CAIRO PORT AUTHORITY PREPARES FOR GROUNDBREAKING — With the AFL-CIO, State officials and the Alexander-Cairo Port Authority signing a labor agreement in 2021, the Cairo river-port development is set to become a reality after about 10 years of negotiations. Thanks in part to $40 million in state funds from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan…

CAIRO WOMEN’S SHELTER HELPS HUNDREDS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE SURVIVORS IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS — After witnessing family members struggle with domestic violence, Jeannine Woods wanted to do something to help. So, in 1985, Woods began working at the Cairo Women’s Shelter in Southern Illinois. In 1990, she was promoted to Executive Director — a position she still holds. …

UNDER COMPTROLLER MENDOZA, PROGRAM HAS HELPED ADOPT OUT MORE THAN 1,000 PETS — Local governments around Illinois find themselves spending time and resources every year euthanizing abandoned, stray animals. So the late, beloved former Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka started “Comptroller’s Critters” to hook up dogs and cats available for adoption at shelters around the state with loving families considering taking in a pet.

STATE IS ON THE HOOK FOR MILLIONS IN INTEREST OWED TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DUE TO PANDEMIC — Comptroller Mendoza is leading a national effort to save states hundreds of millions of dollars in interest costs for all the unemployment they had to pay out during the COVID-19 pandemic. Illinois alone owed the federal government $4.5 billion in debt related to unemployment benefits due to the pandemic. Meanwhile…

BILLS GETTING PAID ON TIME VERSUS 210-BUSINESS-DAY DELAY DURING BUDGET IMPASSE — At the end of the day on February 28, 2022, the oldest General Revenue Fund voucher at the Illinois Office of Comptroller was 15 business days old. …

STATEWIDE PROGRAM HAS COLLECTED MORE THAN $80 MILLION FOR CHARITIES — The State and University Employees Combined Appeal (SECA) is the program that provides all state employees the opportunity to donate to the charitable causes of their choice and enhance the quality of life for all. As of August 2021, the Illinois Office of Comptroller is the administrating agency of the…

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NOTES — Economic development projects in communities all over Illinois are injecting needed revenue, revitalization and economic activity into the state. Below is a look at some of the projects underway in Illinois. CARTERVILLE: Comptroller Mendoza joined Gov. JB Pritzker and State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) in breaking ground on the Walker’s…