News

Water levels on the Illinois and Mississippi rivers are finally beginning to drop after cresting in the “major flooding” category along much of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers throughout Illinois.

Also during the week, legislation reinstating a minimum school day length of five hours of class time was signed into law.

On June 12, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the “Reproductive Health Act” into law. The law replaces existing statutes and enshrines abortion as a fundamental right in Illinois. All insurance providers will be required to provide abortion coverage without restriction.

For those travelling rural roads, please be careful when driving and keep an eye out for farm machinery as farmers continue to work to get their crops in the ground following a rainy spring.

Huge infrastructure upgrades are on the way thanks to a capital program that will bring vital investment to communities throughout the state of Illinois. The bipartisan plan will provide nearly $45 billion in direct investment in Illinois’ aging transportation infrastructure, as well as include funds for construction projects for schools, public universities, sewer and water systems and state facilities.

Senate Republicans rejected a budget that included a pay hike for legislators in the final days of the spring legislative session. Late on the night of May 31, Senators were surprised to find a $1,600-per-year salary increase in the budget presented to them.

A measure decried by Second Amendment advocates as an unnecessary infringement on privacy rights stalled out during the last week of the spring legislative session. Senate Bill 1966, a so-called “fix the FOID” bill, would have required fingerprinting to apply for a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card and increased fees.

A sweeping expansion of gaming in Illinois cleared the Illinois General Assembly in the final hours of the spring legislative session. If signed by the Governor, the measure will allow for six new casinos and legal sports wagering in Illinois.

In the final days of the spring legislative session, lawmakers approved controversial legislation legalizing adult use of recreational marijuana, and expanding the state’s medical marijuana program. House Bill 1438 allows for the adult use of recreational marijuana. The bill makes it legal to possess up to 30 gram of cannabis; however, possession above that limit remains a class 4 felony.

A controversial measure to expand legal abortion in Illinois is on its way to the Governor’s desk. Senate Bill 25, which critics say goes much further than simply keeping abortion legal in Illinois, passed the Senate on May 31.

The Senate has approved an omnibus bill addressing sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace, protecting hotel and casino employees from sexual harassment by guests, and updating government ethics laws.

Senior citizens will have access to a wide variety of informational resources from local and state groups at a free Senior Health Fair June 6 in West Chicago being hosted by Senator Jim Oberweis.

Senator Chuck Weaver is hosting Coffee & Conversation June 7 at The Phenix Township Building, 14850 N. 2550 Ave. in Geneseo.

State Senator Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) noted the end of session with the positive steps made to boost the economy and bring jobs back to Illinois. The most noteworthy accomplishment made during the last week of session and the one that will have the most impact on boosting our economy is the achievement of significant business reforms, said Sen. McConchie. These reforms will not only help current business owners in Illinois but will also help incentivize others to move here.

State Senator Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles), the lead Senate Republican negotiator on the plan, said he was pleased with the bipartisanship throughout the entire process of crafting the package. This plan is a win for the State of Illinois, said Sen. DeWitte. If you travel the roads and bridges at all across the state, you know they are in terrible condition and have been ignored for years.

During the extended legislative session on Sunday, June 2, the Illinois Senate approved of a capital plan that will greatly benefit the residents of the 36th Senate District. State Senate Neil Anderson released the below statement following its passage.

Senate Republicans demonstrated throughout this session that common ground could be found on key issues like investing in our states infrastructure, which will make critical improvements to our states roads, bridges and buildings, said Brady (R-Bloomington). Throughout this session, Senate Republicans were not afraid to speak up when needed, and were not afraid to stand together when warranted. I commend Governor Pritzker for working across the aisle on those key issues that produced bipartisan support. Now, as we move forward, Senate Republicans will continue to fight for the issues important to Illinois residents.

On June 2, Senate lawmakers passed a capital infrastructure package that directs hundreds of millions in funding toward projects in Southern Illinois, a balanced budget that includes critical funding for the Cairo river port terminal and gaming expansion legislation that enables the Walkers Bluff winery to move forward with resort expansion.

Although Illinois has a real need for transportation infrastructure improvements, I am unable to support a plan that is based on extreme DMV fee increases and a doubling of motor fuel taxes...

Legislation that expands gaming in Illinois and directs funds toward constructing a highly-anticipated casino in Rockford will soon be on its way to the Governor for final signature, according to State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford).

Danville to finally get much-needed economic development through a new casino Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) released the following statement after passage of a capital construction program which included authorization for a Danville casino : Throughout my legislative career, I have fought for Danville and East Central Illinois to have this kind of economic opportunity and the jobs it will bring to our area...

The step the General Assembly took this week shows an extreme lack of compassion for our most innocent. The massive expansion of abortions under this proposal is heart rending. Dont trust rhetoric that tells you this legislations sole intent was to keep abortion legal in Illinois if Roe v. Wade is overturned. What it really does is expand legal abortion to allow late-term abortions for any reason, partial birth abortions, and sex-selective abortions. Life is sacred and this is wrong. I voted no.

State Senator Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) spoke in opposition during debate on the Senate Floor to Senate Bill 25, which would massively expand legal abortion and would put womens health at risk in Illinois if signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

If there is a line, weve definitely crossed it here in Illinois with this proposal. This bill goes way beyond just keeping abortions legal in Illinois and way beyond what Roe v. Wade allowed. This legislation not only allows for late-term, third trimester abortions of any kind, but it also allows for partial birth abortions and sex-selective abortions, all of which human dignity should tell us is just plain wrong.

State Senator Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo) released the following statement after voting no on budget legislation: At a time when Illinois faces extreme fiscal challenges, we need more than a band-aid, status quo budget. Spending 99.6% of incoming revenue for a new record spending level of over $40B is not responsible government...