The spring session of the Illinois General Assembly wrapped up in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 24th, following a whirlwind four-day special session that took place against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus was successful in ensuring some key issues were addressed, many were not and Illinois residents were saddled with yet another unbalanced state budget.

Memorial Day is a day to remember the lives of the brave men and women who answered the call of duty to serve their country and ultimately gave their lives. So many Americans and Illinoisans made sacrifices to provide us the freedoms we have today. Today is a time to remember the hero who made our freedom possible. Illinoisans gave their lives to make ours free.

In this unprecedented time, I believe the General Assembly has fallen far short of the public's expectations of how we respond to the issues facing our constituents...

State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) released the following statement after the passage of the states FY21 budget:

Responding to a more than $6B budget shortfall by increasing discretionary spending and borrowing billions of dollars is not responsible government. Instead, it is proof that...

State Senator Don DeWitte (R-St Charles) released the following statement after the passage of the states FY21 budget:

State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) released the following statement after the Democratic-majority voted to pass an out-of-balance budget on May 24:

Illinois Senate Democrat leaders forced through a Fiscal Year 2021 budget, a $43 billion spending plan that relies on $5 billion in borrowing from the federal government plus another billion in short-term borrowing.

Senator Rose has been meeting with local leaders from across the 10 counties that make up the 51st Senate District and collecting their feedback on the state's COVID-19 response efforts...

Because of the failure of House Speaker Madigan and Senate President Harmon to hold oversight hearings on Governor Pritzkers shutdown of Illinois, they have officially declared the General Assembly as non-essential. This abdication of responsibility fails the people of Illinois who have legitimate questions about when they can return to work, resume worshiping with their faith communities, and send their children to school. Illinois needs a legislature that has the courage to step-up and serve as the co-equal branch it was designed to be...

Senator Jil Tracy says she did not support an election reform omnibus bill approved May 22 because it opens wide a door to election fraud.

Seeking to provide a safe and responsible reopening plan for the citizens and business community of Illinois, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) is co-sponsoring new legislation that establishes protocols for businesses to resume operations and begin rehiring.

State Sen. Donald DeWitte (R-St Charles) has joined his Senate Republican colleagues to co-sponsor new legislation that creates commonsense protocols for businesses to resume operations safely and responsibly.

Senator Jim Oberweis is joining his colleagues in offering a safe and responsible reopening plan for residents and businesses in Illinois.

Senator Jil Tracy is joining her colleagues in offering a safe and responsible reopening plan for residents and businesses in Illinois.

Today, I join with my fellow colleagues in opposition to the Governor's filing of emergency provisions that would charge business owners with a Class A misdemeanor for violating the stay-at-home order. These are hardworking men and women who are trying to protect their livelihoods and provide for their families. The Governor has overreached his authority and once again unilaterally acted without the input of the legislative branch.

Before the General Assemblys Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) could meet to decide whether to override Governor JB Pritzkers attempt to circumvent the constitutional law-making process, the governors office repealed their controversial emergency rule, according to State Senator Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo)...

Springfield, IL. Governor J.B. Pritzker withdrew his proposed emergency rule dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic before the Legislatures Joint Commission on Administrative Rules, which was set to meet Wednesday. Sen. Wilcox (R-McHenry) issued the following statement:

This is a huge victory for the people of the state of Illinois. This is proof that when we speak up and call out governmental overreach for what it is, we can effect change, said Anderson. Im proud to be part of a caucus that sounded the alarm on this and stood up for small businesses and employers in our state. Now, we must focus that energy on re-opening the state of Illinois.

Today it was announced that Governor Pritzker will repeal his emergency rule in light of broad opposition to the idea of turning small business owners into criminals. This is an important win in the fight for peoples rights during this pandemic. This is clear proof that when call out governmental overreach, we can win.

State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) released the following statement on the Governor withdrawing emergency rules that charge businesses with Class A misdemeanor for violating the stay-at-home order:

"I'm often asked by the members of the public whether their voice matters. The answer every day, and especially today, is that it does...

In the wake of strong opposition, Governor Pritzker is withdrawing a rule he submitted May 15.

In the wake of strong opposition, Governor Pritzker is withdrawing a rule he submitted May 15.

Illinois State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) is calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to intervene and defend the constitutional rights and civil liberties of Illinois citizens, currently being violated by the directives of Governor J.B. Pritzker.