Senator DeWitte Earns 97% on IMA Legislative Scorecard
I am pleased to announce that I was recently named a “Champion of Manufacturing” on the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association’s (IMA) 2024 Legislative Report Card, which highlights lawmakers who consistently support Illinois’ manufacturing industry. I earned a 97% rating and tied with one other lawmaker for the highest score in the entire General Assembly.
The IMA’s Report Card rates lawmakers based on their voting record on key bills that impact the state’s manufacturing sector. It showcases where lawmakers stand relative to support Illinois’ manufacturing economy and the jobs it creates.
As the manufacturing sector employs over 600,000 people in the state, ensuring that manufacturers have a strong voice in Springfield helps safeguard a cornerstone of Illinois’ economy and a major job creator in the state. To see a full list of bills evaluated by the IMA for the 2024 Legislative Report Card, click here.
Senator DeWitte Encourages Public Participation in Upcoming Meetings to Re-Establish Chicago to Rockford Rail Line
I want to personally invite residents of northern Kane and southern McHenry Counties to attend one of two upcoming public meetings where residents can learn about and provide feedback into a proposal to re-establish intercity passenger rail service from Chicago to Rockford with intermediate stops planned in Elgin, Huntley, and Belvidere.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is partnering with Union Pacific Railroad and Metra to provide expanded service that will connect Elgin, Huntley, and Belvidere to Chicago and Rockford. Especially for those who commute to Chicago or want to visit the new Hard Rock Casino or other venues in Rockford, this line will save riders a great deal of time since they will have a much shorter drive to their closest train station.
Meetings are scheduled on the following dates:
Elgin: September 17
4:00 – 7:00 PM
The Centre of Elgin
100 Symphony Way, Elgin
Huntley: September 18
4:00 – 7:00 PM
Huntley Park District
12015 Mill Street, Huntley
Many people do not realize that passenger rail service was available between Chicago and Rockford via the ‘Black Hawk’ route in the 1970s and 1980s because that service ended before the population boom occurred in Elgin and Huntley. Re-establishing this line with the necessary infrastructure improvements will boost economic growth in Kane, McHenry, Boone and Winnebago Counties and provide residents with easier access to public rail service. There is also the environmental benefit that would come from having fewer cars on the expressways.
While early in the process, a current proposal calls for two round trips per day on the line, with an expected trip time of about two hours. The project timeline calls for a 2027 date for the start of service on the re-established line.
I hope to see large turnouts at both of these public meetings and would encourage those who would use the service to help keep the project timeline on track by voicing their support and expressing the need for the service. Additional information about the project can be found at: https://chicagotorockfordrail.org/.
Come to My IPASS on Demand Event in Algonquin!
A mobile team from the Illinois Tollway will be at the Algonquin Village Hall on September 9, from noon until 6:00 PM to help motorists switch out their IPASS transponders to the new sticker technology.
- 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.
Federal Judge Strikes Down Concealed Carry Ban on Public Transit
On August 30, a federal judge in Rockford ruled the state’s prohibition on carrying concealed weapons on public transportation and in public transportation facilities was unconstitutional. It is important to note, however, that the ruling only applies to the four plaintiffs named in the suit who will be allowed to conceal carry on CTA and Metra.
The ruling is significant because it opens the door for other properly licensed CCL holders to challenge the constitutionality of Illinois’s ban on concealed carry on public transit. Following the ruling, I issued this press statement:
“It’s a shame people feel the need to arm themselves in order to feel safe on our public transit systems, but violent gun crime on the CTA has increased 14% over the last year alone. The issue is heightened by the recent report that four sleeping passengers were shot and killed in cold blood on the Blue Line in the early morning hours of Labor Day. Perhaps those responsible for these crimes would have thought twice about committing them if there was a possibility that the person sitting next to them on the train or bus was legally armed and trained to defend themselves.
“I have sponsored and co-sponsored legislation during my time in office that would allow law-abiding concealed carry license holders to carry on public transportation. It is a matter of personal safety, because those who follow the lawful screening and application process to obtain a CCL are not the ones shooting people on our trains and buses. I am not surprised at this ruling and am confident we will see many more challenges to this Illinois law now that the precedent has been set.”
Cost of Living Continues to Skyrocket for Illinoisans
Illinois residents continue to face significant increases to their cost of living. The latest report from Insurify reveals that Illinois’ car insurance rates have skyrocketed by 46% since 2023. Illinois now ranks among the top five states for year-over-year car insurance increases, putting additional financial strain on families already dealing with rising expenses and increased tax burdens.
The report also ranked Illinois fifth in the nation for car thefts last year alone. These rising costs are yet another consequence of the state’s failure to effectively address public safety, impacting the well-being and financial security of Illinois families.
These alarming insurance hikes are not the only financial burden Illinoisans face. The state continues to be the least tax-friendly state in the nation and has some of the highest property taxes in the country, adding to the strain on families trying to make ends meet.