Happy Thanksgiving to All!
As Thanksgiving approaches, I want to take a moment to thank you for the opportunity and privilege of serving you and the residents of our district. Representing our community is an honor I hold in the highest regard, and I remain deeply grateful for the confidence you have placed in me to advocate for your interests at the state level.
This season offers an important opportunity to pause and recognize the blessings that often go unspoken: the strength of our communities, the support of loved ones, and the promise of the days ahead. However you observe the holiday, I hope it brings you moments of peace and connection with family and loved ones.
In recognition of this holiday, my legislative office will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week.
Senator DeWitte Questions Pritzker Officials for Illinois’ High SNAP Error Rate
During last week’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) meeting, I had an opportunity to grill representatives from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) about major failures in the administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
At our November 18th hearing in Chicago, I questioned them about persistent errors within the food assistance program. Recent reports show Illinois now has one of the highest SNAP error rates in the nation.
The error rate within Illinois’ SNAP program has doubled over the last eight years, going from 5.7% in 2017 to 11.5% in 2024. Governor Pritzker owns this mess because seven of the eight years of the error explosion happened on his watch. If the state’s 11.5% error rate isn’t nearly cut in half to below 6%, Illinois taxpayers could be on the hook for about $800 million to cover the errors.
Taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability in this state-administered program that provides critical support to families. It is unacceptable that there is continued mismanagement that is jeopardizing both recipients and taxpayer dollars.
Click here to watch a portion of my questioning.
Digital IDs Available to Illinoisans
Illinoisans are now able to use digital driver’s licenses and state IDs on their smartphones after the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office announced the launch of a new mobile ID program.
Under the new digital ID program, residents can now add their driver’s license or state ID to their iPhone Apple wallets, with future plans to roll out support for Google and Samsung wallet users next year.
To add a digital ID on an iPhone, tap the “plus” button in the top right corner in the wallet app, select “driver’s license and ID cards,” and then follow the prompts. Citizens will be required to scan their physical IDs to complete the process.
Illinois joins a growing number of states adopting digital IDs, including Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, and Utah.
Mobile IDs became available on November 11th, with additional system expansions anticipated next year. Visit https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/mobile-id/apple-wallet.html to learn more.
Firearm Deer Season Safety
The Illinois Firearm Deer Hunting Season is underway, scheduled for November 21st to November 23rd and December 4th to December 7th.
As hunters prepare to head back into the field, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) emphasizes that safety should be their top priority. Last year, tree stands were the leading cause of hunting-related accidents and fatalities. Falling from a tree stand can result in serious injuries, including broken bones, spinal injuries, paralysis, concussions, organ damage, and even death.
To ensure the safety of Illinois hunters, the IDNR recommends using a fall arrest system with a safety harness. Before each use, inspect your tree stand for wear and tear, and use a haul line to safely raise unloaded firearms, bows, and other essential equipment. It is also vital to bring a cell phone and inform a friend or loved one about your hunting location and expected return time to ensure a safe trip. Additionally, hunters are encouraged to avoid the use of drugs and alcohol before and during their hunts.
For more information about safe hunting practices, visit the IDNR’s Hunter Safety Website.
IDOT Warns about Text Message Scams
Illinois residents are being warned about an ongoing phishing scam disguised as a text message from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
The scam claims recipients owe money for traffic tickets, toll violations, or other unpaid fines. Some messages threaten consequences such as additional fees or legal action if the recipient does not respond immediately.
State officials emphasize that IDOT does not send unsolicited text messages demanding payment for tolls, tickets, or penalties. Legitimate notices involving fines are sent through the mail.
Drivers who are concerned about unpaid tolls or fees are advised to verify their status directly by logging into their Illinois Tollway account.
Suspicious messages should not be answered or clicked. Instead, residents are encouraged to report phishing attempts to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).