Keeping the Bears in Illinois
With news surfacing on Friday that leadership from the NFL and Chicago Bears met with Governor Pritzker and legislative leaders last week, I remain hopeful that we can find a responsible way to keep the Chicago Bears here in Illinois. The team has made clear that Hammond, Indiana, is still in play, and Indiana has put significant public incentives on the table to attract the Bears. At the same time, recent discussions between Governor JB Pritzker, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Bears minority owner Pat Ryan and legislative leaders demonstrate that Illinois is still working to find a path forward.
I believe keeping the Bears in Illinois is worth pursuing, and that we can finalize a plan that makes sense for Illinois taxpayers. We should not simply write a blank check for a professional sports franchise. If Illinois is going to provide any form of public assistance, there must be a clear and measurable return in the form of jobs, private investment, economic development and increased revenue for our communities and state.
There is still time to get this right. I am optimistic that lawmakers, the administration and the Bears can continue working toward a workable proposal during the fall veto session or, if additional time is needed, during the 2027 spring legislative session. The goal should be a long-term agreement that allows the Bears to build their future in Illinois while ensuring taxpayers are treated fairly and the state receives a meaningful economic benefit in return.
The Bears have been part of Illinois for more than a century, and I would like to see that continue. I will remain engaged in this important issue and look forward to supporting a responsible solution that keeps the team—and the jobs, investment and economic activity associated with a major stadium development—right here in Illinois.
DeWitte Receives Realtors’ Association “Presidents Award”
Recently, I was honored to receive the President’s Award from the Realtor Association of the Fox Valley during an event at the Hollywood Casino in Aurora. I am grateful for this recognition and for the Association’s continued partnership and engagement on issues affecting housing, property owners and communities throughout the Fox Valley.
I’m shown in this photo with James Byrne, President of the Association.
5th Annual New and Gently-Used Coat Drive Underway!
To help ensure families in the 33rd District have warm coats this winter, today I launched my 5th Annual New and Gently Used Coat Drive to benefit residents of all ages from this region.
Unfortunately, the 33rd District is home to many people who will not have adequate outerwear when the temperatures drop. As the weather turns crisp, I’m hoping people will look through their closets and donate new or gently-used coats that will be given to those who could really use them this fall and winter.
New and gently used coats will be collected now through October 12 in bins at the following locations:
- Sen. DeWitte’s West Dundee Office: 641 South 8th Street, West Dundee (8:30 AM-4:30 PM, M-F)
- St. Charles Municipal Building: 2 E. Main Street, St. Charles (8:00 AM-4:30 PM, M-F)
- Salvation Army of St. Charles: 1710 S. 7th Avenue, St. Charles (8:00 AM-4:00 PM, M-F)
- Algonquin Village Hall: 2200 Harnish Dr, Algonquin (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, M-F)
The coats we collect will be distributed to Kids in Need-McHenry County, Lazarus House in St. Charles, the Elgin Wayside Center, and the Salvation Army. All of these helpful organizations have expressed a need to provide coats to families in need, and I am glad to host an event to help replenish their supplies.
For additional information about this event, please call my legislative office at (847) 214-8245 or email Abby at amccarthy@sgop.ilga.gov.
DeWitte Pushes to Strengthen Protections for Illinois Children
My Senate Republican colleagues and I are renewing our efforts to advance several pieces of legislation aimed at protecting Illinois children from sexual exploitation, trafficking, grooming, and assault.
The three proposals address different gaps and concerns in Illinois law but share a common focus on strengthening protections for children and victims. I am a proud co-sponsor of all three bills in the package.
Recent allegations involving a Mundelein teacher and volleyball coach have renewed attention on Senate Bill 2381, which seeks to address sexually motivated unauthorized recordings of minors. Under current law, a conviction for unauthorized video recording of a minor does not by itself trigger sex offender registration. SB 2381 would make the offense registrable when the victim was under 18, the defendant was an adult, and a court determines the offense was sexually motivated.
We are also pushing Senate Bill 3094 to strengthen protections against child trafficking and grooming. This legislation would prohibit individuals charged with involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, trafficking in persons involving a victim under 18, or grooming from pleading down to lesser offenses. It would also create additional restrictions intended to keep convicted child sex offenders away from facilities providing entertainment exclusively for minors.
A third proposal focuses on sexual assault involving students. Senate Bill 939 would generally require a student determined to have initiated sexual assault or attempted sexual assault against another student to be expelled for at least one year when the offense occurs at school, a school-sponsored activity or event, or another activity or event reasonably related to school. The legislation contains procedures allowing the punishment to be modified under certain situations. The legislation was developed following reports involving students who were sexually assaulted but continued attending school with the students responsible for the assaults.
None of the three measures has yet passed both chambers of the General Assembly.
The proposals demonstrate areas where lawmakers can strengthen protections for children by closing gaps in existing law, imposing appropriate consequences for serious offenses, and ensuring victims and their safety remain at the center of the response. While the bills may address different situations, they all share the same goal of protecting children, standing with victims, and taking action before another family is forced to ask why more wasn’t done.
DeWitte to Co-Host Senior Expo in Crystal Lake
My final outreach event for the year will take place on Wednesday, October 14, when I co-host my third Senior Expo of the year in Crystal Lake. Similar to Senior Expos I have already hosted in Carpentersville and St. Charles, the Crystal Lake Expo will feature dozens of groups that cater to the needs of seniors.
Crystal Lake Senior Expo
Wednesday, October 14
10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Grand Oaks Building
1401 W. Route 176
Crystal Lake, IL
If you are a senior, a caretaker, or family member of a senior, I hope you’ll come out to this comprehensive event!
In addition to more than 30 informational booths, attendees will have access to a variety of free services and resources, including:
- I-PASS on Demand assistance through the Illinois Tollway
- ICASH/Unclaimed Property assistance through the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office
- Senior transportation information from PACE and the Northern Illinois Transportation Agency (NITA)
- Veteran Information
- Optional vaccinations provided by Walgreens
- Utility assistance and energy efficiency program information
- Health and wellness resources from local health care providers
- Home health and senior living information
LIHEAP Portal Now Open
With the onset of cooler weather, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has opened its 2026-2027 application season. The portal for applications opened on Thursday, October 1 for older adults aged 60+, individuals with a disability, families with children 5 years of age and younger, and households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice or have less than 25% in their propane tank. All other income-eligible households can start applying November 1, 2026.
LIHEAP provides one-time benefits to income-eligible homeowners and renters to help with energy bills and for reconnection of energy service. Propane customers who are part of the priority group are encouraged to apply when the program opens in October. Propane prices typically increase during the winter months so by applying early, propane customers will see their LIHEAP benefit go further.
Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through August 13, 2027, or until funding is exhausted. Households that receive a one-time benefit may return during the program year if they become disconnected or get a disconnect notice. Homeowners who have a non-working heating system may be eligible for free repairs.
Click here for additional information.
Protecting Our Families Through National Drug Take Back Day
Unused and expired medications can pose serious risks when they are left sitting in our homes. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, taking place Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., gives Illinois families a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of unwanted medications and help prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.
I encourage residents to take a few minutes to check their medicine cabinets for medications they no longer need and bring them to a participating collection site. The initiative is an important part of preventing prescription drug misuse, accidental poisonings and other dangers associated with improperly stored medications.
The April 2026 Take Back Day resulted in more than 642,000 pounds of unwanted medications being collected nationwide. Since the program began in 2010, more than 21 million pounds of medications have been safely removed from homes and communities.
Keeping our families and communities safe starts with simple steps we can all take. I encourage everyone to clean out their medicine cabinets, safely dispose of medications they no longer need and help make Illinois a safer place for our families.
To find a participating collection site near you, visit the DEA’s National Take Back Day collection-site locator.