Gov. Pritzker budget plan called out by Black, Latino residents

by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Illinois News Connection


The proposal does not reflect the priorities of Black Illinoisans or address the historical disparities they continue to face.


CHICAGO - Illinois' Legislative Latino Caucus and Black Caucus have responded to Governor JB Pritzker's budget address he delivered last week, and each criticized the lack of support for their constituents across the state.

In his speech, the governor outlined a $2 billion spending increase without tax increases. Some proposed cuts include eliminating Medicaid-like coverage for noncitizen adults ages 42-65 as a way to make up for the state's budget gap, which is estimated to top $3 billion.

Kareem Kenyatta, owner of the Third Reading Consulting Group and a legislative consultant, said federal policy changes may be a contributing factor, while its sister program for immigrant seniors remains off the chopping block for now.

"It'd be one thing if you had a federal government that was willing to come in and back you on initiatives like that," Kenyatta observed. "But in fact it's the exact opposite, where not only are you going to get less funding as a state but you may be punished even more for embracing these policies."

Priztker's office estimated cutting the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program would save the state $330 million. The budget would be the largest in state history, totaling over $55 billion, a roughly $2 billion increase from last year.

Kenyatta noted some Black Caucus members have pushed back, saying the proposal does not reflect the priorities of Black Illinoisans or address the historical disparities they continue to face.

"I do think this is something worth watching as the budget process plays out," Kenyatta emphasized. "Usually, you have the party that's in control -- which in Illinois is the Democratic Party -- usually folks are on the same page and they can construct a budget together, even in tough years like this one."

Together, members of the Black Caucus and Latino Caucus make up about one-quarter of the General Assembly. Kenyatta added it will be important for them to address any divisions incited by the governor's proposals in order to meet the May 31 deadline to pass the budget.



Guest Commentary | We must pray Israel roots out and eliminates Hamas

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator


What would happen if several thousand members of ISIS or a group similar to Hamas invaded our Southern border? What if a group of 5,000 terrorists with semi-automatic weapons stormed our border? What would it look like? It might look like the Southern border of Israel – horrific.

We were totally caught off guard on September 11, 2001. That was a horrific day for America and the world. The terrorist group who attacked us brought about much death and suffering for our nation. Israel, totally caught off guard, will forever be scarred by the recent surprise attack led by Hamas that resulted in the horrific slaughter of families.

We must wake up in America. We do not have a secure border. Hundreds of thousands are coming every month into our nation. How many of these people are members of ISIS? How many of them are members of hate-filled terrorist groups? Their only mission is do whatever it takes to bring about mass casualties and to inflict as much pain and suffering as possible.

They have proven to us that they will bide their time. They are patient. Hamas reportedly has been planning this attack on Israel for two years. How many people are already in the United States who are waiting for a command from someone to go into action?

We must fortify our border and stop the siege of our nation. We must secure our border and allow only an orderly, legal entrance into our nation.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called Hamas, ISIS. We have seen what ISIS is all about. They want to cut people’s heads off and broadcast it on social media and world-wide television. They want to mutilate women and children and burn people alive. We must be committed in America to doing whatever it takes to keep our freedom. There is a satanic mentality in the world that is like a slithering poisonous serpent waiting to strike our country just as Hamas has struck Israel.

Any form of religious expression that binds or enslaves people is evil. There is nothing good about any religion that oppresses people. Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” John 8:32. The true heart of God is love and freedom in Christ. It does not seek to bring about enslavement, torture or pain. This is the work of Satan.

There are innocent civilians in Gaza. Let’s hope that they find a way to escape. Let us pray that as few lives as possible are killed in this Israel, Gaza war. By the time you read this there may not be much of Gaza left as Israel will not play patty cake with Hamas. We pray for the innocent to escape and the hostages to survive and be freed. We must surely also pray for the success of Israel to root out and eliminate Hamas. The only cure for such evil is for it to be eliminated.


-----------------------------------------------------------

He is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

-----------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------
Sign up for the Sentinel

Guest Commentary | America is being invaded

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

Recently, in a Mexican restaurant in Houston, Texas, a patron shot and killed a man who was robbing other patrons. The robber was masked and brandishing what appeared to be a pistol. If the man who shot the robber is charged with murder for protecting himself and others from a potentially lethal threat, then we have a serious problem. 

We have another problem. Millions of undocumented people have crossed our border from El Paso to San Diego and in between.  America is being invaded. We do not have enough free housing, welfare and food stamps to support all these people. 

Biden wants to mobilize 85,000 IRS agents who will find every dollar they can to support the millions of undocumented people roaming our nation. How many more dollars can the IRS squeeze out of your pocket? Do you have property that they can seize and sell for a few dollars?  85,000 agents will need to find something to do and most likely they will be checking up on everyone. 

Arizona has been patching holes in their border with containers which has been working. Biden ordered that the containers be removed. Over one million undocumented people have crossed into America through Arizona during Biden’s Presidency. 

Can you imagine being a farmer or just living on the Southern Border? This is 24-hour a day nightmare for these landowners. Do you think anyone wants to buy their property? These same people are coming to your community. They are looking for jobs and housing. They need money and food. Do you have plenty of affordable housing in your community? Do you have big free food banks to feed these people? If you need a reasonably priced apartment, I would suggest you snatch it fast because people are coming who need that apartment and they may have more help from the government than you do to underwrite the costs. 

McCarthy, Biden, and Congress must bring back every job we have outsourced to China. We can no longer do business with China. The people who have been living in America the last few years need jobs and millions of new undocumented workers need jobs. By the way, do you remember when the United States Census was a once every ten-year job?  Now, Census workers have to work year-round chasing down people who will not complete U.S. Government Census information. How many full-time census workers will it take to chase down all of these undocumented people? 

If Biden, McCarthy, and Congress do not protect Social Security your town will probably have to close up. Over 70 million Americans count on Social Security income. Social Security is all or over half of all this number receives each month. As the buying power of the retired population suffers, each community suffers. The government collects social security taxes from people to subsidize us in our old age.  Americans will be back into abject poverty if they don’t keep Social Security strong. 

Affordable housing, medical insurance and jobs that pay over $15 an hour must also be McCarthy and Biden commitments. We must be able to buy health insurance across state lines. State governments need to make it easier for working poor to have health insurance. We need real people to answer the telephones in the state and local governments. Websites need to be simple and seamless. Working poor Americans feel like their local states aren’t that interested in helping them. 

Making medical care more affordable will solve problems for everyone including the insurance companies. Publicly listing the cost of services and surgeries was a good idea that most medical providers don’t seem to be following. Making pharmacy purchases from Canada easier is imperative for struggling Americans. 

We have some problems in America. Biden, McCarthy and Congress have a lot to do. Name calling, and aggressive behavior in the House only makes for a few seconds of television stupidity. America has some problems.  We need for McCarthy and Biden and Congress to step up and help us solve them. 


-----------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of Grandpa's Store, American Issues, and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.

-----------------------------------------------------------

This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Sentinel. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.


-----------------------------------------------------------

Guest Commentary: Abbott & DeSantis have the right idea

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

Nearly five million foreign nationals have entered the United States since Biden became President. Some people call them undocumented immigrants, some call them unauthorized immigrants, many call them illegal immigrants. If they were entering the country legally with proper documentation then we would call them documented immigrants or legal immigrants.

Wyoming has 581,075 people. Have you ever been to Yellowstone National Park? Vermont has a population of 623,251 people. The District of Columbia has a population of 714,143 people. Alaska’s population is 724,357. North Dakota has 770, 026. South Dakota’s population is 896,581. The population of Delaware is 990,334. (Stats from populationreview.com). These seven states combined have a population of under 5.5 million people. To get a more accurate count I suppose we could drop off Wyoming and that would put us closer to the total number of foreign nationals who have illegally without documentation entered crossed our borders. In other words, our country has grown the population of at least six of our smallest populated states in six years.

However, there are no worries because densely populated states won’t remain that forever. We cannot add 4-5 million illegal immigrants every two years without having serious population issues in our nation.

What would a half million of these new unauthorized immigrants do to the state of Wyoming? What about Vermont? Would Vermont like to have a generous helping of a few hundred thousand people begging for housing and food?

The population of Kentucky is about 4.5 million people which is somewhere very close to the number of illegal immigrants. Where can Kentucky add a half million people? There are no jobs in East, Kentucky but a lot of devastation from the recent flooding. West Kentucky is still trying to rebuild from the worst tornadoes in history. What about Lexington or Woodford County? They still have a nice ten mile stretch of horse farms that could easily accommodate one-half million foreigners. Put these people to work giving bourbon tours.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Florida Governor Ron Desantis have the right idea, share the love. Open borders should never mean that Texas and other border states get all the love and joy of these millions of people coming illegally into America. Texas already has 30 million people. Florida has 22 million people. Plus, Texas and Florida get hot. Hot weather and crowds are not a good combination. Martha’s Vineyard has less than 20,000 people. The climate is cooler. The water is pretty and there is some good fishing in the area as well. I can see where immigrants would be content in this part of America. Rehoboth in Delaware would also be a nice spot for the undocumented foreigners. Rehoboth is where Joe Biden likes to stroll along the Boardwalk in this quaint costal Atlantic community of fine restaurants, shops and summer vacationers. The illegals could certainly transform this little community.

California has a population of 40 million people. New York has almost 20 million and Illinois has almost 13 million with Chicago exploding with its own problems. Do any of them really have the financial ability to care for another million people?

If we do not get control of our border and regulate the flood of people who are coming into this country illegally, soon we will not have a country.


-----------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of Grandpa's Store, American Issues, and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.

-----------------------------------------------------------

This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Sentinel. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.


-----------------------------------------------------------


More Sentinel Stories



Photo Galleries


2025 Illinois Marathon Photo Gallery
A couple of runners found themselves in the wrong race at this year's Illinois Marathon. Over 60 photos from the race that you should see.

Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks