DeKalb Times

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is paying down some of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund debt, but for Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore), it isn't enough.

"The Governor finally gave into SOME of the pressure created by Republicans.  HOWEVER, there's $5+ billion in unspent Federal COVID money that SHOULD be used to cover this hole," Keicher posted on Facebook.

He also faulted the governor for withholding fraud data.

"Also, he still refuses to say how much in Unemployment FRAUD claims were been paid. We only know the Federal fraud data, not IDES." Keicher said. "We keep screaming to hold him accountable but he just doesn't care.  His eyes are on the White House."

Keicher shared a link to a Crain's Chicago Business article that announced the state’s plan to reduce $1.8 billion debt by $450 million.

NPR Illinois reported Pritzker said during a press event the plan will save the state approximately $10 million in interest.

The Federal Unemployment Trust Fund is funded by money paid by employers collected in payroll taxes. Illinois borrowed from the fund during the COVID-19 shutdowns so that the state could afford to pay unemployment claims. It is accruing interest at a rate of 1.59% annually. In March, lawmakers dedicated $2.7 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to pay down the deficit to the balance of roughly $1.8 billion.

“This contribution is direct evidence of labor market strength in Illinois,” Pritzker said in a release. “With unemployment claims levels continuing to reach historic lows, the State's Unemployment Trust Fund is able to contribute to the loan repayment and save Illinois taxpayers in interest costs.”

Pritzker announced the plan to pay down the debt on Sept. 27, and said this payment reduces the debt owed by 25%, bringing it down to $1.3 billion, because unemployment claims have slowed over the past five months.

Keicher was first elected to the Illinois House in 2018. His legislative experience includes serving on the Appropriations-Higher Education and Immigration & Human Rights committees. Keicher resides in DeKalb.