Key Bill Deadline Passes in Senate and House
Friday, April 17 marked a significant milestone in the legislative process, as it was the deadline for most bills to pass out of their chamber of origin in order to remain viable this session. In the Senate, 149 bills were approved and will now move to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Sponsors will continue working to advance their legislation through the committee and floor process in the opposite chamber.
Lawmakers are spending time in their home districts this week, meeting with constituents and discussing legislative priorities. When the General Assembly returns to Springfield during the final week of April, attention will turn to reviewing House bills that met the same April 17 deadline.
While this deadline is an important benchmark, exceptions may be granted, allowing certain bills additional time to advance. Budget and appropriations measures also follow a different timeline and are typically considered later in the session, with final decisions expected toward the end of May.
Flooding Impacts Communities Along the Fox River
Communities in Kane County and southern McHenry County are facing significant flooding following heavy rains, high winds, and rising water levels along the Fox River.
According to the National Weather Service, the Fox River has reached flood stage and is expected to continue rising, with a projected crest of approximately 11.8 feet by midweek. Officials warn that this event is transitioning into a major flood, with the lower river likely to exceed levels seen during the 2017 Northern Illinois Flood.
Residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas are urged to take immediate precautions, including:
- Moving valuables and equipment out of basements and other low-lying areas
- Checking sump pumps and backup power sources to ensure they are functioning properly
- Clearing storm drains and gutters to help direct water away from your property
- Securing outdoor furniture and other loose items
- Monitoring official updates and following local safety guidance
Sandbags are available through local townships for residents who need them. Because water levels can change quickly with additional rainfall, staying informed and prepared remains critical.
Unused/Expired Drug Drop-Off Event Set for April 25 in Elburn
There’s still time for you to clean out your medicine cabinets and collect all unused or expired medications and deliver them for safe, environmentally-friendly disposal.
Prescription and non-prescription drug drop-off events play a critical role in keeping communities safe by providing a secure and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired medications. When medications sit in medicine cabinets, they can become easy targets for misuse, accidental ingestion, or theft. These events also help reduce the availability of potentially dangerous substances and lower the risk of accidental poisonings and overdoses. Additionally, drug take-back programs remove these excess medications from circulation, cutting off a common pathway to addiction.
Prescription drug drop-off events also help protect the environment. Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can lead to contamination of water supplies and soil, as wastewater treatment systems are not always equipped to filter out pharmaceutical compounds.
Reservation Portal Now Open for May 12 Mobile DMV Event in St. Charles
If you want to avoid the lines at the DMV, State Representative Dan Ugaste and I invite you to take advantage of an upcoming Mobile DMV event that will be held in St. Charles on May 12.
Available services are listed in the event graphic.
Please note that seniors aged 78+ must visit an established Secretary of State Driver Services facility to renew a driver’s license. Payments for services at our mobile event must be made by check, credit card, debit card, or money order. No cash will be accepted at the St. Charles event.
Registration is required for this event. Those wanting to secure an appointment should visit repugaste.com/mobile-dmv-registration-2 and fill out the appointment form. Additionally, before coming to the event, attendees should visit the official website for the Illinois Secretary of State to learn about identification requirements for specific services. This is especially important for those wanting a REAL I.D.
REAL I.D. transactions cannot be completed without the proper documentation and identification.
For additional information about this event or to receive help securing an appointment, please call my office at (847) 214-8245 or contact Abby at amccarthy@sgop.ilga.gov.
Senate Approves Safety Standards for E-Bikes, Other Micromobility Devices
Last week, the Illinois Senate unanimously approved legislation (Senate Bill 3336) establishing statewide safety standards for high-speed e-bikes and other micromobility devices like electric scooters and skateboards. I supported the measure to help bring consistency and clarity to a rapidly evolving area of transportation. The bill addresses the growing use of faster, more powerful electric devices by setting age requirements, establishing safety rules, and requiring licensing, registration, and insurance for the highest-speed models that exceed 28 miles per hour.
This legislation replaces a patchwork of local regulations with uniform statewide standards designed to improve public safety for both riders and pedestrians while ensuring responsible use of emerging technologies. If approved by the House and signed into law, the new rules would take effect January 1, 2027.
Relief Package Targets Rising Costs for Illinois Families
Illinois families are facing rising costs at every stage of life, from childcare and preschool to everyday essentials like diapers and prescription medications.
These are not optional expenses. For many families, these are necessary costs that continue to increase, making it harder to stay in the workforce and make ends meet.
On Tax Day (April 15), Senate Republicans highlighted these challenges and introduced a legislative package aimed at providing relief. The proposals focus on reducing costs, expanding access to childcare and early education, and supporting the workforce that makes those services possible.
The package includes Senate Bill 1647, which creates a tax credit of up to $1,500 per child to help families afford preschool. Senate Bill 1646 would provide a refundable tax credit for early childhood educators to improve retention in a field that is critical to maintaining access to care.
Additional legislation, Senate Bills 3851 and 3869, would eliminate state sales taxes on prescription medications and diapers, helping families and seniors better afford basic necessities.
The package also includes Senate Bill 2277, which increases incentives for businesses to provide on-site childcare, and Senate Bill 2382, which creates a tax credit for donating property for childcare use.
These efforts are focused on addressing the real financial pressures families face every day and making Illinois a more affordable place to live and work.
Law-Abiding Gun Owners Descend on Springfield for Annual IGOLD Lobby Day
Second Amendment advocates gathered in Springfield last week for IGOLD (Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day), standing in support of their Constitutional gun rights. Their presence served as a strong reminder that when law-abiding citizens come together and make their voices heard, it sends a clear and unmistakable message to government leaders.
The right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental freedom, protected by the Constitution and deeply rooted in our nation’s founding principles. Responsible gun owners across Illinois take this right seriously. They follow the law, respect their communities, and remain committed to protecting their families.
However, far too often, the focus in Springfield is misplaced. Instead of prioritizing policies that target violent crime and hold criminals accountable, the General Assembly continues to advance legislation that places additional, and often burdensome, mandates on lawful gun owners. The reality is simple: criminals, by their very nature, do not follow the law. Piling on new restrictions for those who already comply does little to improve public safety.
Events like IGOLD highlight the importance of civic engagement and reinforce the need for balanced, effective policymaking. I remain committed to standing with responsible gun owners and advocating for policies that both uphold our constitutional freedoms and address the root causes of crime in our communities.
Downers Grove Business Wins “Coolest Thing Made in Illinois”
Chosen by voters from an initial field of more than 100 entries, the NASA Standard Initiator made by Chemring Energetic Devices in Downers Grove has been crowned the winner of the 2026 “Makers Madness” contest, earning the title of The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois.
Rooted in a heritage that stretches back to the Apollo era, the NASA Standard Initiator (NSI) is an electrically activated pyrotechnic device that plays a critical role in modern spaceflight. The NSI enables essential mission functions such as vehicle staging, satellite separation, and spacecraft maneuvering. Its reliability is proven across thousands of missions, from every Mars rover to the Red Planet, to the current Artemis II/Orion mission, which carried astronauts around the Moon for the first time in over 50 years. Chemring Energetic Devices is the only NASA qualified manufacturer of the NSI in the world, continuing a legacy of precision and trust at the heart of human and robotic exploration.
Congratulations to the NASA Standard Initiator made by Chemring Energetic Devices for being named the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Illinois!
Pritzker Tries Blaming Local Governments as His Policies Drive Up Property Taxes
Governor JB Pritzker recently suggested that local governments and school boards are responsible for Illinois’ high property taxes. However, that explanation overlooks the significant role his policies play in shaping those costs.
While property taxes are collected locally, the state determines school funding levels, imposes mandates, and establishes policies that directly impact local budgets. When state funding falls short, local governments are often left with few options but to rely more heavily on property taxes.
Illinois continues to rank among the states most reliant on local property taxes to fund education, placing a heavy burden on homeowners.
In addition, unfunded mandates imposed by the Governor and Democratic lawmakers continue to increase costs for schools and local governments. Without sufficient state funding to support those mandates, local districts are forced to pass those costs on to taxpayers.
Recent budget decisions by the Governor and his allies have only made the problem worse. The Governor’s budget excluded $43 million in property tax relief funding last year, and that funding is not included in his current proposal.
These decisions limit opportunities to provide relief and shift more responsibility onto local communities. Meaningful property tax relief will require action by the Democratic-controlled state government, not shifting blame to local officials.