New Data Shows 87,000 Illinois Residents Flee the State
New data from the Internal Revenue Service shows that in 2022 alone, more than 87,000 Illinoisans, faced with some of the highest taxes in the nation, relocated to other states. This exodus saw nearly $10 billion in income leaving Illinois, significantly impacting the state’s economic landscape. The City of Chicago earned the unfortunate, yet unsurprising, distinction of having the third-highest rate of domestic population loss in the country.
Illinois’ high tax burden has long been a critical factor driving residents to seek refuge in more tax-friendly states. This spring, Governor J.B. Pritzker made it clear that working families are unlikely to see meaningful tax cuts any time soon, signing nearly $1 billion in tax hikes into law to fund spending on the migrant crisis.
New Illinois Law Ensures Educational Continuity for Children in DCFS Care
Children in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will face fewer disruptions when being removed from their homes under a new law sponsored by Illinois Senate Republicans. This law, which I was proud to support, represents a significant step forward in stabilizing the lives of these vulnerable children, prioritizing their educational continuity and well-being.
Senate Bill 2824 ensures that children, whenever possible, can continue attending their current school even after being placed with a different parent or relative. The aim is to provide a sense of stability and normalcy during an otherwise tumultuous time in their lives. The importance of maintaining the same school environment cannot be overstated, as it allows children to retain their friends, teachers, and support systems, which are crucial for their emotional and academic development.
Additionally, the new law includes a provision to protect caregivers from added financial burden. If it is deemed to be in the best interest of the child to attend a different school, the law stipulates that no out-of-district school tuition can be charged to the relative caregiver or foster parent.
Senate Bill 2824 passed unanimously in the Senate and House and was signed into law on July 1. The provisions take effect on January 1, 2025.
Republican-backed Legislation to Align Education with Workforce Needs Becomes Law
Legislation aimed at bridging the gap between college and Illinois’ evolving workforce needs was signed into law earlier this month, marking a pivotal step toward aligning academic programs with the state’s dynamic economic landscape.
Senate Bill 2862, a bill I also supported, requires the Illinois Board of Higher Education to release an annual comprehensive list of the most in-demand jobs in the state. This proactive measure will equip educators with information on job trends that will help better prepare students for successful careers in Illinois’ rapidly changing job market. It’s an initiative that not only benefits students but also strengthens the state’s economy by fostering a workforce that is well-equipped to meet the needs of employers.
The comprehensive job list will be publicly accessible via the Board of Higher Education’s official website. After passing the General Assembly unanimously earlier this year, the measure was signed into law on July 1 and took effect immediately.
DeWitte Hosts Successful IPASS Transponder Event in St. Charles, Schedules Encore Event on July 31
Thank you to everyone who came out to my “IPASS On Demand” event held in St. Charles last week. Despite a glitch on the front end of the event, we successfully helped 135 constituents switch out their plastic IPASS transponder to the new stickers that are being phased in for motorists who use the IL Tollway.
Due to the incredible demand for the service, Tollway officials stayed 1 ½ hours past the posted ending time for the event, and they worked very hard throughout the afternoon to move as many people as possible through the line.
I AM HAPPY ANNOUNCE THAT ANOTHER IPASS STICKER EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE SAME LOCATION ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, FROM 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
The Tollway will be sending several additional employees to this second event to make the line move even faster.
Sticker tags are being adopted by toll agencies across the country. Once registered to your IPASS account, the IPASS sticker tag will be immediately ready to use on the Illinois Tollway and within 24 hours on the Chicago Skyway or other E-Z Pass roadways in other states. There is no charge for IPASS sticker tags, and the $10 transponder deposit will be transferred into current IPASS customers’ prepaid account balance once a new IPASS sticker tag is registered to the account.
Please note that if you still have a plastic transponder, it will still work through the expiration date on the back of the equipment.
Summer Events Continue in 33rd District
The events just keep coming in the 33rd! Please mark your calendars for these other upcoming events:
- July 23: Traveling Office Hours: Crystal Lake Public Library, 126 W Paddock St, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- July 31: IPASS On Demand Encore Event: 406 Surrey Woods Drive, St. Charles, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- August 1: Traveling Office Hours, Geneva Public Library, 227 S 7th St, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- August 7: Mobile Secretary of State Event, DeWitte West Dundee Office, 641 S Eighth Street, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- August 19: Traveling Office Hours, Dundee Township Rakow Center, 665 Barrington Ave, Carpentersville, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- August 24: Prescription Drug Drop-Off, West Dundee Police Department, 555 S 8th St, West Dundee, Time TBA
- September 5: Senior Expo, Dundee Township Rakow Center, 665 Barrington Ave, Carpentersville, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- September 17: Senior Expo, St. Charles Pottawatomie Park (Community Center), 8 North Avenue, St. Charles, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- September 21: Shred Event, 1865 Andrew Blvd, Pingree Grove, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- September 24: I-CASH Unclaimed Property Day, Algonquin Village Hall, 2200 Harnish Drive, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- October 15: Senior Expo, Crystal Lake Park District Grand Oaks Building, 1401 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Please visit the Events Page on my website to learn more about these and other events.
Recognizing Illinois’ Finest: The ‘Illinoisan of the Day’
The Illinois State Fair Museum Foundation is seeking nominations for the “Illinoisan of the Day” program at this year’s Illinois State Fair, running from August 8 to 18. The foundation aims to recognize 10 outstanding community servants each day who have significantly contributed to county and state fairs in Illinois.
To be eligible, nominees must be Illinois residents, 25 years or older, with a history of service at state and/or county fairs in the state. Nominees should also demonstrate the characteristics of integrity, dependability, community spirit, and strong ethics. Those selected will be honored during one of the days of the Illinois State Fair.
Nomination forms are available on the foundation’s website at www.illinoisstatefairmuseum.org, with a submission deadline of July 20.
DeWitte Reminds Professional License-Holders Not to Delay in Renewing Licensure
My office hears regularly from professionals who get caught up in bureaucratic red tape when applying for or attempting to renew a professional license through the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation. Several professional licenses, included those listed in the graphic, expire on September 30 of this year.
I would encourage license-holders to act now to renew their licenses to avoid lapses in coverage. Those who need to apply for professional licenses are also urged to give plenty of time for processing due to long lag times that have been reported to my office.
My talented staff is able to provide assistance in cases where licenses are taking an unreasonable amount of time to be renewed or processed. Let us know if we can help!
IDOT Urges Caution as Roadside Mowing Continues
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is reminding drivers to exercise caution, slow down, and avoid distractions as maintenance crews continue roadside mowing into the summer months.
Beginning July 1, IDOT conducts both safety mowing, directly adjacent to the road as needed, and maintenance mowing, including areas next to culverts, ditches, traffic control devices, and other structures.
According to the most recent statistics, Illinois averages almost 6,100 crashes in work zones each year, resulting in 1,600 injuries and 28 deaths. Heavy maintenance mowing will continue until August 15.