DeWitte End of Session Newsletter Hits District 33 Mailboxes
Each year following the spring legislative session I create and distribute an End of Session report that highlights the activity of the legislature for the session year. The 2025 edition was recently mailed throughout the 33rd District.
In addition to information about legislation that passed, bad bills we successfully blocked, and some bills that are still pending, the report includes a link to an annual survey. The survey provides valuable information that helps me represent the interests and priorities of those I represent in the Senate. If you have not yet taken that survey I would invite you to do so. You can access the survey here.
If, by chance, you did not receive the report and would like a copy mailed to you, please contact my office at (847) 214-8245, or email us at DeWitte@ilsenategop.org.
Senator DeWitte Meets with Local Mayors and Managers at MCCOG Meeting
Last week it was my honor to meet with the Mayors and Managers from the McHenry County Council of Governments (MCCOG). Nearly every community in McHenry County had representation in attendance, and we had a very productive conversation about issues that are important in the county, including public transit and taxes. McHenry County residents are fortunate to have such dedicated leaders at the local level, and I appreciate the invitation to participate in the discussion. A special thank you goes out to Johnsburg Village President Ed Hettermann for hosting the event.
I am shown in the photo above with (L-R): State Senator Darby Hills, Huntley Mayor Tim Hoeft, Cary Mayor Mark Kownick, and Algonquin Mayor Debby Sosine.
Upcoming Events in the 33rd District
My events calendar continues to be updated with additional events. My next two events are Traveling Office Hours events. Please note that I do not typically attend these, but I do stop by if my schedule permits. The purpose of these events is to provide assistance to constituents who are struggling with an issue involving state departments and agencies. To that end, my constituent services staff always attends Traveling Office Hours. Here is a run-down of upcoming events:
- August 6: Traveling Office Hours, Algonquin Public Library, 2600 Harnish Dr, Algonquin, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- 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: Senior Fair in St. Charles, St. Charles Park District Pottawatomie Community Center, 8 North Avenue, St. Charles, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
- 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.
Illinois Faces Costly SNAP Penalties, Senate Republicans Call for Transparency
Republican lawmakers are calling for increased transparency after recent reports have emerged showing Illinois could owe the federal government over $700 million annually due to high error rates in its administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to help supplement their grocery budgets. However, Illinois has recently been found to have one of the highest error rates in the country, currently ranking worse than 38 other states in payment accuracy.
Federal law now requires states with error rates above 10 percent to repay 15 percent of total SNAP benefits. Illinois’ rate hit 11.56 percent in fiscal year 2024, one of the highest in the nation, according to USDA data.
We need increased transparency and urging the Administration to take immediate action to fix the errors and stop the fraud and abuse in the SNAP program.