Legislators in Springfield for Final Four Weeks of Session
It’s crunch time in Springfield, and the House and Senate will be in session every week through our scheduled adjournment date of May 31.
In addition to vetting and voting on bills that passed in their chamber of origin and now must be considered by the other chamber, two mammoth issues remain. The first is the passage of a Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the year that begins on July 1, 2025. It is an extremely tight budget year for the State of Illinois, and as budget discussions begin to narrow in scope, I am looking for fiscal responsibility and restraint. There are varying levels of confidence on whether or not we will have an approved FY26 budget in place by the end of May.
Another issue of paramount importance is finding a fair and equitable solution to the pending $770 million fiscal cliff facing our public transit systems of Metra, PACE, and the Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA). This fiscal cliff is real, and it hits later this year. I am focused on a board reconfiguration that is fair and equitable for all six counties in the transit service region, with equality in representation and voting power for the suburbs. We believe we are close to finalizing the language on board governance.
I will provide updates on these and other issues as legislation is finalized.
Billion Dollar Brandon Returns to Springfield with a New Bailout Request
Last week, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was back in Springfield with his latest bailout request for his city. It seems like every few months, Mayor Johnson comes to the legislature with a new wish list and a new request that legislators pay for financial decisions he has made. Whether it is a billion extra dollars for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) on top of the funds they receive through the school funding formula, a billion dollars for a stadium for the Chicago Bears, or a billion dollars for Chicago transit, one familiar theme accompanies these requests: He wants suburban and downstate taxpayers to foot the bill to fill his self-created funding gaps.
I recognize the importance of a thriving Chicago. When Chicago is strong, Illinois is strong, and that is beneficial to all Illinoisans. What worries me is the established habit of Mayor Johnson refusing to control or cut spending, engaging in unaffordable budgeting and contracts, and then looking to the General Assembly to pay for it. Fiscal recklessness in City Hall should not become a burden on suburban families who have worked hard to live within their means.
On Tuesday, May 29, I, along with budget negotiation team members Senator Seth Lewis and Senator Chapin Rose (shown in the photo), held a press conference to reiterate our opposition to requiring taxpayers outside of Chicago to pay for Mayor Johnson’s poor financial decisions.
Click here to watch the full press conference, and click here to view my portion.
Do You Need a REAL ID?
Starting May 7, 2025, anyone over 18 years old will be required to present a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification, like a valid U.S. passport, to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities or military bases. Implementing REAL ID standards nationwide was pushed back for years, but it is now taking effect.
You do NOT need a REAL ID in order to drive, vote, enter state-owned buildings, or enter federal buildings that do not require REAL IDs.
Come to My Pet Adoption Fair on Saturday!
I’m really looking forward to my first Pet Adoption event, which is scheduled for this Saturday, May 10 in St. Charles. What could be better than hanging out with four-legged friends on a Saturday? Same-day adoptions are available at this event!
I’m partnering with Anderson Humane of South Elgin for this fun, interactive event, and we are looking forward to finding forever homes for some adorable pets. Stop by and say hello!
My summer and fall events calendar continues to grow! Please mark your calendars now for these upcoming events:
- May 10: Pet Adoption Fair, St. Charles Hardware- Do It Best, 3619 E. Main Street, St. Charles, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- May 16: Prescription Drug Drop-Off Event, South Elgin Police Department, 50 S. Water Street, South Elgin, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- May 29: Traveling Office Hours, Elburn Town & Country Public Library, 320 E North St, Elburn, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- June 4: Property Tax Seminar, DeWitte-Ugaste Legislative Office, 406 Surrey Woods Drive, St. Charles, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- June 11: Traveling Office Hours, Crystal Lake Public Library, 126 W. Paddock Street, Crystal Lake, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
- June 17: Traveling Office Hours, Geneva Public Library, 227 S. 7th Street, Geneva
- June 28: Document Shredding Event, Salvation Army Tri-City Corps Community Center, 1710 S. 7th Avenue, St. Charles, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- July 15: Traveling Office Hours, Lake in the Hills Village Hall, 600 Harvest Gate, LITH
- July 9: Traveling Office Hours, Gail Borden Public Library District (South Elgin Branch), 127 S. McLean Blvd, South Elgin, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
- August 19: ICASH Unclaimed Property Event, Gail Borden Public Library District (South Elgin Branch), 127 S. McLean Blvd, South Elgin, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- September 4: Senior Fair in Carpentersville, Dundee Township Rakow Center, 665 Barrington Ave, Carpentersville, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
- September 16 or TBA: Senior Fair in St. Charles, Details TBA
- October 14: Senior Fair in Crystal Lake, Grand Oaks Recreation Building 1401 IL-176, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Additional events are added regularly, so please visit the Events page on my website to remain up-to-date on outreach activities in the district.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection – Crystal Lake
Mark your calendar! On June 7, 2025, Illinois residents can safely dispose of household hazardous waste at Prairie Ridge High School, 6000 Dvorak Drive, Crystal Lake, IL. This free event runs from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM and is co-sponsored by McHenry County. Pre-registration is required (click here to register). Bring items like oil-based paints, cleaners, pesticides, and more but please leave latex paint, propane tanks, and business waste at home.
For safe transport, residents are asked to:
- Pack HHW items in a disposable box to prevent spills
- Keep “like” chemicals together and separate unlike chemicals
- Secure lids and check for leaks
- Place boxes in the empty trunk or storage area, away from passengers
- Remain in your vehicle — on-site staff will unload the materials
Click here to view a full list of items that will be accepted and not accepted at this event.
Pritzker’s Spending Surge Comes at Taxpayers’ Expense
At a time when Illinois families are cutting back to make ends meet, Democrats in Springfield are pushing a $6 billion tax hike to fund massive government expansion, including what is shaping up to be the largest state budget in Illinois history.
Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed budget is nearly $15 billion larger than when he first took office. Now, Democrats want taxpayers to foot the bill through another series of new and expanded taxes.
Illinois already carries the highest overall tax burden in the country. And just last week, the American Legislative Exchange Council released its “Rich States, Poor States” 2025 report, which ranks Illinois near the bottom in a study of how friendly state policies are for economic growth. The report judges each state based on 15 different economic outlook factors, including property tax rate, sales tax rate, top marginal income tax rate, top marginal corporate tax rate, how progressive the personal income tax rate is, as well as whether there is an inheritance tax. The report also considers the state minimum wage, average worker’s compensation costs, whether it is a right-to-work state, the size of the debt, and the number of public employees compared to the state population. Only Vermont and New York scored worse than Illinois on these combined metrics.
The new proposed taxes in the Democrat plan would drive up consumer costs, discourage investment, and make it even harder for family-owned farms and businesses to stay in the family and survive.
Republicans are also sounding the alarm over plans to funnel some of the new revenue into expanding government benefits, including programs for individuals who are in the United States illegally.
While Democrats are pushing tax hikes, growing government, and prioritizing programs that hurt the very people they claim to represent, Senate Republicans are doubling down on their efforts to stand up for working families and fight for lower taxes, more opportunity, and a future where people can afford to stay in Illinois.
A Day of Tribute: Illinois Honors Fallen Officers and K9’s at Memorial Ceremony in Springfield
The Illinois Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony took place on May 1 in the Capitol City to honor the brave law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. For the first time, K-9s who lost their lives in the line of police work were also recognized.
In the photo to the left, you’ll see Lux, son of Dax, who was honored during the ceremony. Dax worked with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department for many years, and his End of Watch was on April 12, 2014. Lux is following in his dad’s footsteps and is in training to become a Police K-9. Hudson, a K-9 who worked with the Kane County Sheriff’s Office was honored posthumously during the ceremony. Hudson’s End of Watch was May 24, 2023.
The day began with a squad car procession lining up at the Illinois State Fairgrounds at 6:30 a.m., followed by an interfaith church service at 9:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, less than a mile from the Illinois State Capitol. The formal memorial ceremony was held at the Illinois State Library where officers, families, and officials paid tribute to the fallen heroes whose names will be added to the Illinois Police Memorial.
This ceremony was a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of our law enforcement officers. My Republican colleagues and I proudly stand behind police officers, honoring their service and the sacrifices they make to protect Illinois communities.
The event drew citizens, law enforcement families, and public officials, all united in honoring the memory of those who paid the ultimate price in service to Illinois. Senate Republicans continue to stand with our brave men and women in blue, knowing that their commitment to upholding the rule of law deserves respect and gratitude, and their sacrifices ensure the safety and security of every Illinois citizen.