As July, and a new fiscal year begin, thirteen new laws will take effect in the state of Illinois. These new laws range from fines for texting while driving, to school curriculum changes and laws to prevent sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

Citizens wishing to donate blood will have an opportunity at a free Together We Can Save Lives Blood Drive July 21 in Elburn.

Appointed by Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady, State Senator Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles) will serve on the Legislative Budget Oversight Commission, which is tasked with providing oversight on the Governors discretionary spending allowed in the FY21 budget, including the federal CARES Act funding the state received to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As Illinois enters Phase 4 of the COVID-19 reopening plan, here’s a little more information from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity about what to expect.

State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) says she supports a breakthrough utility relief agreement that will help utility customers who have been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chicago Tribune has published a commentary by Senator Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) that explains how legislators not only gave themselves pay raises, but also boosted their pensions.

Please consider donating blood on July 21 at the Elburn American Legion Post 630. Appointments are required!

Recently, every member of the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus sent a letter to Governor JB Pritzker formally requesting that he adopt the more widely-accepted 14-day timeline rather than his current 28-day requirement for moving between phases...

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)...