Illinois State Representative Jason Bunting released a news update on April 24 covering recent legislative activity, school funding opportunities, and the state’s financial status.
Bunting’s report highlights several issues currently facing Illinois residents, including changes to the redistricting process, missed educational funding opportunities, and updates on state revenue. These topics affect both local communities and broader statewide policy decisions.
Bunting said he voted against a proposed constitutional amendment that would change how legislative district maps are drawn in Illinois. He stated that the amendment would make the process more partisan by moving criteria such as compactness and population equality lower in priority. “Illinois has some of the worst, most partisan-gerrymandered legislative district maps in the country. The Princeton Gerrymandering Project rated Illinois’ maps with an F grade,” Bunting said. He also noted that Republicans received a majority of votes for the House of Representatives in 2022 but secured less than 35% of seats due to current map configurations.
The update also addresses Illinois’s decision not to participate yet in a federal Education Scholarship Tax Credit program that could bring $1 billion to local schools if adopted before December 31. Bunting explained that other states have already joined this program and seen significant donations for student scholarships as a result.
Regarding state finances, Bunting reported an increase of $233 million in general funds revenue for March compared to last year, mainly from personal income taxes and public utility taxes. However, he cautioned against using short-term gains for increased spending due to ongoing structural deficits—especially rising health care costs for state employees and retirees—which are projected to grow by nearly 10% next year.
In addition to policy matters, Bunting shared news about Tara Bedei and Aindrea Hogan representing his district at the annual Women to Watch Conference at the Capitol—a networking event hosted by House Republican Leader Tony McCombie—and provided an update on unpaid bills submitted to the Illinois Comptroller totaling nearly $2 billion.
Bunting was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois’s 106th House District in 2023 after replacing Thomas Bennett according to available records.
