Senator DeWitte, Rep. Keicher Join AARP to Call for End to Discriminatory Driving Law
Last week I joined State Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) and officials from AARP Illinois for a bipartisan press conference to call for an end to Illinois’ status as the only state to mandate extra driving tests for those 75 and over, regardless of driving record or ability. House Bill 4431 would end this practice.
An Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) report released in 2022 showed virtually no change in crash rates for drivers 75 and older, with a crash rate of 24.39 per 1,000 drivers, which is lower than every age range of drivers between 16 and 69 years old.
In addition to the IDOT report, the most recent data from the National Safety Council shows that drivers 75 and older are involved in fewer fatal crashes than any other age group. In 2021, the most recent year of data, drivers 75+ were involved in only 3,263 fatal crashes, which is 1,500 fewer than the next closet age bracket and dramatically less than the 13,200 fatal crashes involving drivers aged 25 to 34, the highest fatal crash prone age bracket.
At the press conference, Keicher highlighted the need to update Illinois law further to focus on “triggers” that would cause somebody to be a bad driver, regardless of age, like adverse health conditions, mental capacity, accidents, and tickets, as birthdays do not make people bad drivers. This goal will be pursued in future legislation.
DeWitte Celebrates Earth Day at Tree Planting Event in Elburn
Today (April 22) is Earth Day, and on Saturday I celebrated the occasion by joining a group of volunteers to plant 500 Oak trees in the Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s Elburn Forest Preserve. The temperature left a bit to be desired, but it was still a beautiful day. Thank you to all of the volunteers who came out for this planting event! Happy Earth Day! Let’s do our part today and everyday to keep Earth healthy for future generations.
Senate Republicans Highlight Major Issues with Likely-Unconstitutional University Funding Plan
Members of the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus are calling attention to serious issues with a proposed funding formula for the state’s higher education system. Specifically, Republicans take issue with elements of the formula that base the amount of funding to state universities on a student’s race. The formula would fund higher education institutions on a per-student basis, with tiers of $2,000, $4,000, $6,000, and $8,000, based on multiple factors, including race.
They noted that under the recent Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard ruling, basing funding levels on race is likely unconstitutional. Additionally, that type of plan would violate the Civil Rights Act of 1964, jeopardizing any and all federal funding for the schools. The Senators pointed to the University of Illinois, which received more than $750 million in funding in 2023, as an example of what could be at stake.
Republican lawmakers also raised concerns that the formula does not consider the cost of operating medical schools, graduate programs or necessary deferred maintenance.
Senate Republicans are hoping to draw attention to the proposed formula and ensure proper vetting before the associated legislation comes up for a vote.
New Legislation Gives Law Enforcement More Authority to Evict Squatters
Law enforcement would be given more authority to evict squatters who are illegally residing in other people’s homes under legislation that passed through the Senate Judiciary Committee last week.
Senate Bill 3658 targets situations where a person moves into a house while the occupants are out of town, then claims to have a lease triggering an expensive and lengthy process for the rightful owner to regain control of their home.
The bill states that no person shall have a right or legal standing to occupy or remain on or in any real property, residence, or structure if the person has no written property interest under a written lease or rental agreement with the owner of the property listed in county tax records or the owner’s agent; has no documentation of payment of rent made to the owner of the property or the owner’s agent; and fails to provide any evidence of an oral or written agreement in which a property interest is claimed.
The legislation was heard during an April 16 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, and the committee voted 8-0 to recommend approval to the full Senate.
Legislation Moves to Require Notification of Pesticides in Cities and Towns
While many communities rely on pesticides to manage weeds and insects, residents often find themselves in the dark about when and how these chemicals are applied. The Illinois Senate is working to bring transparency to the process by passing legislation mandating notification procedures for pesticide application.
The legislation was created at the request of an Illinoisan who discovered that pesticides were being applied near his home without warning or notification, and he was unable to find out who was spraying the chemicals and what the chemicals were. Particularly disturbing to the constituent was that he witnessed overspray hitting children playing, swimming pools, and the exterior of homes.
Senate Bill 3342 passed the Senate and now awaits action in the Illinois House.
The bill requires that an applicator provide public notice before pesticides are applied on a public right-of-way inside the borders of a municipality, to all residents within 200 feet of that right-of-way. The public notice would also include contact information for the applicators.
While many communities rely on pesticides to manage weeds and insects, residents often find themselves in the dark about when and how these chemicals are applied. The Illinois Senate is working to bring transparency to the process by passing legislation mandating notification procedures for pesticide application.
The legislation was created at the request of an Illinoisan who discovered that pesticides were being applied near his home without warning or notification, and he was unable to find out who was spraying the chemicals and what the chemicals were. Particularly disturbing to the constituent was that he witnessed overspray hitting children playing, swimming pools, and the exterior of homes.
Senate Bill 3342 passed the Senate and now awaits action in the Illinois House.
The bill requires that an applicator provide public notice before pesticides are applied on a public right-of-way inside the borders of a municipality, to all residents within 200 feet of that right-of-way. The public notice would also include contact information for the applicators.
“Coolest Thing in Illinois” Announced
A mining truck manufactured by Komatsu recently emerged as the winner of the 2024 Makers Madness contest, earning the title of “the coolest thing made in Illinois.”
Beating out more than 200 other entries for the coveted title, the Peoria-made truck, was crowned through the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association’s fifth annual contest. The truck has a hauling capacity of up to 400 tons, boasts cutting-edge features such as new innovations in suspension transmission, electric drive technology, and autonomous operation.
Three other finalists were also recognized at the ceremony, including Mullen’s Imitation French Dressing, The MQ-25 Stingray Drone Refueler, and Enviro Buildings’ Mod Box.