DeWitte, Ugaste Tour Local Businesses Receiving IMA Grants
One of my favorite parts of being a State Senator is having the opportunity to tour local businesses and talk with their leaders about their successes and challenges. Last week Representative Dan Ugaste and I spent a day touring Bison Gear and Engineering Corporation in St. Charles and Continental Envelope in Geneva. Both tours were amazing.
At each stop, we toured the facilities and had great conversations with employees and leaders, and then we had the privilege of presenting the businesses with Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP) Grants funded by the Illinois Manufacturing Association (IMA).
ETIP grants provide support to local businesses for employee training to enhance their skillsets and productivity on the job. Thank you to both businesses for inviting us for tours!
New Law Signed to Increase Transparency in Local Government
A measure I supported this year was recently signed into law to enhance transparency and public access to information regarding proposed tax levy changes by local governments.
Senate Bill 3567 amends Illinois’ Truth in Taxation law to require taxing bodies to prominently display notices on or near the top of their websites for a minimum of 30 days. Under the existing Truth in Taxation law, taxing bodies are required to publicly disclose their intention to raise their tax levy by more than 5 %. The new law will require online visibility in addition to the current mandate that these notices be published in local newspapers.
The dual approach is designed to maximize the reach and effectiveness of public disclosures, providing residents with multiple opportunities to stay informed about potential increases in their property taxes.
New Law to Reduce DMV Visits with 4-and 8-Year License Options
Illinois drivers will soon have the option to choose between a four-year or eight-year driver’s license, thanks to new legislation recently signed into law. I was the leading Chief Co-Sponsor of this bill.
Senate Bill 275 requires the Secretary of State to establish rules for this process by January 1, 2027, with the new options available to motorists by July 1 of that year.
This change aims to reduce the frequency of visits to the DMV, offering convenience to drivers and aligning Illinois with other states that already offer longer license validity periods. The cost for an eight-year license will be $60, double the cost of a four-year license.
This new law is expected to ease the challenges motorists face when scheduling appointments at driver services facilities, providing greater flexibility and reducing wait times.
Upcoming Events in the 33rd District
I want to thank everyone who participated in my prescription drug drop-off event on Saturday. I also want to thank the members of the West Dundee Police Department who partnered on the event. By dropping off unused or expired medications at this event, participants helped keep pharmaceuticals out of the water supply and out of the hands of potential abusers.
Additional events are coming, including two senior expos and another IPASS on demand event in September. Please mark your calendars for these upcoming events:
- September 5: Senior Expo: Dundee Township Rakow Center, 665 Barrington Ave, Carpentersville, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- September 9: IPASS on Demand: Algonquin Village Hall, 2200 Harnish Drive, Algonquin, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- September 17: Senior Expo: St. Charles Pottawatomie Park (Community Center), 8 North Avenue, St. Charles, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- September 21: Shred Event: 1865 Andrew Blvd, Pingree Grove, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- September 24: I-CASH Unclaimed Property Day: Algonquin Village Hall, 2200 Harnish Drive, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- October 15: Senior Expo: Crystal Lake Park District Grand Oaks Building, 1401 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Please visit the Events Page on my website to learn more about these and other events.
Small Businesses Losing Money as Revised Unemployment Numbers Underscore Challenging Economy for Illinois Families
As new unemployment numbers are revealed by the US Department of Labor, Illinois is now tied for having the second-highest unemployment in the nation. The unemployment rate in Illinois jumped to 5.2 percent in July, translating to more than 341,000 Illinoisans who are looking for work.
Job creators in Illinois are also feeling the pressure. A recent survey by Alignable found that 58 percent of small businesses are making less money than they did last year—a 7% increase from the previous month.
Across the country, 73 percent of small business owners say they’re earning less than they did last year. Over 80 % of these small businesses in industries like manufacturing, beauty salons, and real estate are seeing big drops in revenue, making it a challenging time for job creators everywhere.
This economic landscape paints a challenging picture for Illinois families. As the job market falters and new taxes take their toll, many families are finding it harder to make ends meet. The latest data is a stark reminder that the economy remains fragile, leaving many in Illinois uncertain about what the future holds.
I voted against the Governor’s recent tax hikes, warning they would hamper job growth and raise costs for Illinois residents. I believe these tax hikes are driving more people and job creators to leave the state.