Hi everyone! I hope you’ve had a great week, as always.
This week’s topics include:
- The Cost of Education Has Changed Dramatically
- Helping Families with Rising Utility Bills
- We Need Accountability in Our County Jails
- A Look Inside ComEd’s Operations
- Welcoming Gentiva Hospice to the Community
- Community Blood Drive Coming to El Paso
The Cost of Education Has Changed Dramatically
The cost of educating a student in Illinois has climbed sharply over the past 25 years. In 2000, Illinois spent about $7,483 per student. By FY 2025, that number had grown to roughly $21,000 per student.
That’s a significant increase, and it raises an important question: Are Illinois taxpayers getting enough in return for that increased spending? We all want our students to have the resources they need to succeed, but we also have a responsibility to make sure taxpayer dollars are being used effectively and that rising spending is translating into better outcomes for students.
The education spending trend is unsustainable for Illinois. I am working on property tax caps that address the out-of-control spending.
View the Illinois State Board of Education’s Operating Expense Per Pupil data (isbe.net)
Helping Families with Rising Utility Bills
Electricity bills are putting more pressure on Illinois families, especially those who earn too much to qualify for traditional assistance programs but are still struggling with higher energy costs. That’s why I am sponsoring Senate Bill 2687, the Home Utility Relief Act.
The legislation would create a rebate program through DCEO for households earning between 100% and 500% of the federal poverty guidelines, backed by a $500 million Home Utility Rebate Relief Fund. The goal is simple: provide some relief to working and middle-class families who are feeling the squeeze from rising utility costs.
Families shouldn’t have to choose between keeping the lights on and paying for other necessities. I’ll continue looking for ways we can provide relief while making sure Illinois families can afford to live and work in our state.
We Need Accountability in Our County Jails
A recent investigation by the Illinois Answers Project found that at least 63 people who died in Illinois county jails between 2019 and 2025 were missing from the state’s official data on in-custody deaths. The investigation also found errors and gaps in how these deaths are reported and tracked.
This is about more than numbers on a spreadsheet. When someone dies while in custody, their family deserves answers, and taxpayers deserve to know that our correctional facilities are meeting the standards we have put in place.
The state passed the Reporting of Deaths in Custody Act to improve transparency and accountability, but this report shows there is still work to do. ICJIA has said it is auditing its records and strengthening its reporting procedures after being notified of the discrepancies.
I believe we have a responsibility to make sure these deaths are properly reported, investigated, and accounted for. Transparency matters, especially when the state is responsible for keeping someone in its care.
Read the full investigation from NPR Illinois
A Look Inside ComEd’s Operations
I recently had the opportunity to visit ComEd’s Joliet Operations Command Center and see firsthand what goes on behind the scenes to keep the lights on across Northern Illinois. ComEd provides electricity to more than 4 million customers across a service territory covering about 11,400 square miles, including Chicago and hundreds of communities throughout the region.
During the visit, I heard from ComEd’s executive leadership and saw how their teams monitor the electric system, coordinate outage response, dispatch field crews, and manage restoration efforts when severe weather hits.
Reliable electricity is something we all depend on every day, so I appreciated the opportunity to see how ComEd prepares for outages, responds to emergencies, and works to keep the grid reliable and resilient. It was a great look at the people and technology working behind the scenes to keep Northern Illinois powered.
Learn more about ComEd and its work across Illinois.
Welcoming Gentiva Hospice to the Community
I recently had the opportunity to attend the ribbon cutting for Gentiva Hospice and learn more about the care they provide to patients and their families. Gentiva focuses on personalized hospice care, working with patients, families, and caregivers to provide comfort and support during an important time in their lives.
I was impressed by their operation and, most importantly, by the commitment of their team to providing compassionate, individualized care. It’s great to see organizations like Gentiva investing in our communities and giving families another resource they can turn to when they need it most.
I’m glad I could be there to celebrate this new chapter for Gentiva Hospice and welcome them to the community.
Community Blood Drive Coming to El Paso
I’m teaming up with Representative Tipsword to host a community blood drive in El Paso on Wednesday, September 30, from noon to 5 p.m. at City Hall. Blood donations are always needed, and one donation can make a real difference for patients in our local hospitals and surrounding communities.
If you’re able to donate, I encourage you to consider signing up and helping us support our neighbors. Successful donors can also choose a $20 gift card for whole blood donations or a $25 gift card for double red donations, with other options available as well.
Wednesday, September 30 | Noon to 5 p.m.
El Paso City Hall
Join Representative Dennis Tipsword and me to help support local patients in need.
Appointments: Schedule a donation or call ImpactLife at 800-747-5401.
Have a great rest of your week! If you ever need anything, please reach out to my office! We are happy to help! See locations and contacts below.
Yours truly,
Senator Chris Balkema