Over 30 Constituents Find Unclaimed Cash at ICASH Unclaimed Property Event
I want to thank everyone who came out to the ICASH event I co-hosted with State Rep. Dan Ugaste last week, and I also want to express my gratitude to the talented mobile team from the Illinois Treasurer’s Office for helping 35 constituents find and file claims for cash or property that rightfully belongs to them.
These ICASH events are very popular and one in four searches are successful. If you missed last week’s event, don’t worry— I will be hosting more of these in the upcoming months.
My outreach calendar for 2025 is coming together nicely. Please mark your calendars now for these upcoming events in the 33rd District:
- April 4-11: Well Child Healthy Snack Drive
- May 10: Pet Adoption Fair
- May 16: Prescription Drug Drop-Off Event
- June 28: Document Shredding Event
- August 19: ICASH Unclaimed Property Event
- September 4: Senior Fair in Carpentersville
- September 16 or TBA: Senior Fair in St. Charles
- October 14: Senior Fair in Crystal Lake
Information about these events will be shared in future newsletters. Additional events will be added, and you can always check the Events page on my website for an up-to-date-list of upcoming events.
Senator DeWitte Hosts “Snack Drive” for Young Child Week in Illinois
As a reminder, I am hosting a healthy snack drive to help feed hungry children right here in the 33rd District. During the upcoming Young Child Week April 5-11, I hope you’ll participate in my snack donation drive to benefit local kids in need. Snacks can be dropped off at either of my legislative offices.
DeWitte West Dundee Office: 641 S. 8th Street, West Dundee
DeWitte St. Charles Office: 406 Surrey Woods Drive, Suite A, St. Charles
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Democrats Seek to Ease Restrictions on Sex Offenders
In yet another display of their misplaced priorities, Democrat lawmakers have introduced a bill that would allow convicted sex offenders to live closer to schools, playground, and childcare facilities.
Currently, registered offenders cannot live within 500 feet of these types of facilities. However, Senate Bill 2254 would reduce the distance by half, allowing offenders to live within 250 feet of these facilities.
Additionally, the legislation would lower penalties for violations of the sex offender, arsonist, and violent offender registries from felonies to misdemeanors and shortens the registration period for the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registry from 10 years to 5 years. The measure also requires law enforcement to waive registration fees for indigent offenders.
Rather than seeking to reduce safeguards put in place to protect children, Senate Republicans argue that more should be done to hold those who abuse accountable for their crimes.
This includes legislation (SB 284), which closes dangerous loopholes that have allowed offenders to escape full accountability by prohibiting plea deals for individuals charged with grooming, trafficking in persons, or involuntary sexual servitude of a minor while also imposing stricter restrictions on convicted offenders. The proposal also expands restrictions on where convicted child sex offenders can work, volunteer, or be present, barring them from facilities that cater specifically to minors.
Senator DeWitte Talks Transportation with Metropolitan Mayors Caucus
On Friday it was my pleasure to present to the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, alongside my Senator Colleague Ram Villivalam, a bipartisan update on legislative opportunities regarding the reorganization of the Chicago and suburban transit system. The reorganization of the governing board for Metra, PACE, the Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA) and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is one of the most difficult issues we will tackle this year in Springfield. I’m shown in this picture with (L-R) Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rodkin Rotering, and Neil James of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.
DeWitte Pushes Back Against Latest Cash Grab from Democrats
Illinois families are already paying more for groceries, gas, and everyday essentials, and now Springfield Democrats want to add another cost every time you check out at the store.
Senate Bill 1872 would ban the use of plastic bags and require a minimum fee of 10 cents for each paper bag used at stores in Illinois. To be clear, I have no problem with reducing the plastic bag trash we all see along the sides of the road and bags filling our landfills. But I do have a problem with charging for paper bags. It’s simply not necessary.
The Senate’s Environment & Conservation Committee heard this bill on March 20 and all Republicans voted against it. Unfortunately, because the committee is comprised of 2/3 Democrats, the bill received a favorable vote and will now come to the Senate floor for final action. I will be voting against SB 1872 when it is brought before the full Senate for a vote.
This legislation only applies to larger retailers; the big-box stores, and they would get to keep the funds generated by the proposed fee on paper bags. Small businesses are exempt from the bill.
This initiative caters to big-box retailers and environmentalists at the expense of taxpayers who are already struggling with higher costs at the grocery store. SB 1872 also strips local communities of the power to make decisions for their own residents and is yet another one-size-fits-all solution coming out of Springfield.
Capture the Heart of Illinois Agriculture in the Cream of the Crop Photo Contest!
The Illinois Treasurer’s Office is launching the Cream of the Crop Photo Contest, inviting students ages 8-18 to submit photos that best represent Illinois agriculture. Entries are accepted until June 13 and can be submitted electronically at Illinois Treasurer’s Cream of the Crop Photo Contest.
The contest features three age categories:
- Ages 8-10
- Ages 11-14
- Ages 15-18
Prizes include Bright Start scholarships of $1,000, $500, and $250 for the top three winners in each category. Each student may submit up to two photos.
Snapshots for the Cream of the Crop Photo Contest may be submitted electronically at: https://illinoistreasurer.gov/Invest_in_Illinois/Ag_Invest/Cream_of_the_Crop_Photo_Contest.