Senator Don DeWitte’s Legislative Update

$109.4 Million in Major Road and Bridge Investments Coming to the 33rd District

The 33rd Senate District will see significant transportation investments between 2026 and 2031 through the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) Multi-Year Program. In all, $109.4 million in funding has been allocated to this region.

A total of $72.446 million in funding has been set aside for local highway projects in the 33rd District, and an additional $36.95 million has been earmarked for state highway projects. These improvements will make travel safer, strengthen local infrastructure, and support our communities for years to come. These investments are an important win for families, farmers, and businesses that depend on reliable and safe roads.

You can view a full list of projects included in IDOT’s six-year Highway Improvement Program for the 33rd District by clicking here.

LIHEAP Application Portal Open

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides one-time benefits to income-eligible homeowners and renters to help with energy bills and for reconnection of energy service. The portal for this winter opened on October 1. Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through August 15, 2026, or until funding is exhausted, so please do not delay!

Propane customers who are part of the priority group are encouraged to apply ASAP. Propane prices typically increase during the winter months so by applying early, propane customers will see their LIHEAP benefit go further.

To complete an application, you must submit all documentation required:

1. Proof of gross income from all household members for the prior 30-day period beginning with the date of application.
2. For all customers new to LIHEAP, and/or for new household members of previous customers, proof of Social Security numbers (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for all household members.  Individuals without a SSN or ITIN may still apply.
3. A copy of current heat and electric bills issued within the last 30 days.
4. A copy of rental agreement (if renting) showing that utilities are included (heat and/or electric), the monthly rental amount and landlord contact, for a potential direct cash benefit.
5. Other documents may be needed based on your household situation. If you have questions regarding this, please call our office.

The program began taking applications on October 1, 2025, for older adults (60 years +), individuals with a disability, families with children 5 years 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, 2025. Beginning January 1, 2026, income-eligible LIHEAP customers of ComEd will receive a monthly discount on their electric bill through the new Low Income Discount Rates. Visit powerbilldiscount.com for more details.

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. 

The program has expanded eligibility this year. Households must be at or below 60% of the state median income to receive a benefit from LIHEAP. The 30-day income guidelines for LIHEAP are based on State Median Income, Federal Poverty Guidelines, and the number of persons living in the household. The household income guidelines are as follows: 1- $3,332, 2- $4,357, 3- $5,382, 4- $6,407. Go to liheapillinois.com to find income limits for households with 5 members and more.

One Week to Go on DeWitte Coat Drive!

The people of the 33^rd Senate District are generous people, and I’m hoping that once again I can count on people to help with my annual coat drive.

We have families right here in Kane, McHenry, and DuPage Counties that cannot afford warm outerwear for colder weather. If you would like to make an immediate difference in the life of neighbors right here in this area, I’m hoping you will consider donating a new or gently-used coat that will be put to good use.

This year’s coat drive is currently taking place through October 13. Coats that are collected will be distributed to

• Kids in Need, McHenry County
• Wayside Center in Elgin
• Lazarous House in St. Charles, and
• The Salvation Army in St. Charles

Donated coats can be dropped off at the following locations:

• My West Dundee Office at 461 South 8^th Street in West Dundee, Monday through Friday from 8:30-4:30
• The St. Charles Municipal Building, 2 East Main Street in St. Charles, Monday through Friday from 8:00 until 4:30
• Algonquin Village Hall, 2200 Harnish Drive in Algonquin, Monday through Friday from 8:00 until 5:00
• And the Salvation Army in St. Charles, 1710 South 7^th Street in St. Charles
  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 8:00 until 4:00
  • Tuesdays: 8:00 to 4:00 and 5:00 to 7:00
  • Sundays: 10:00 until 12:30.

The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a very cold Winter this year, so I hope you’ll donate generously to this year’s coat drive.

Senior Fair Coming to Crystal Lake on October 14

I want to thank everyone who stopped by the document shredding event and food drive I held with State Rep. Dan Ugaste over the weekend. We filled the shred truck and received an impressive number of non-perishable food items and toiletries that were donated to a local food pantry.

I am wrapping up my 2025 outreach events calendar this month with one more senior fair. Please mark your calendars and come see us in Crystal Lake on Oct. 14, when State Senator Craig Wilcox and I bring together dozens of agencies and non-profits that cater to the needs of older Illinoisans.

• October 14: Senior Fair in Crystal Lake, Grand Oaks Recreation Building 1401 IL-176, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

My staff and I are already putting our events calendar together for 2026. You can remain up to date about upcoming events by visiting the Events page on my website.

Senator DeWitte: Out and About in the 33^rd District

Last week I had an opportunity to attend and speak at several events throughout the 33^rd District. I enjoy meeting and talking with constituents about issues that are important to them and providing updates about legislative activity in Springfield and at home.

I am shown in the collage above (L-R) speaking with members of the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business-Dollars for Scholars Group, at a gun storage safety event sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and McHenry County Sheriff Rob Tadelman, and at the State of the County address in Kane County, provided by Kane County Board Chair Corinne Pierog. In the photo I am standing with State Rep. Jeff Keicher (L), and Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke (R).

Fall in Illinois Means Pumpkins

If you’re planning to carve a jack-o’-lantern for Halloween, sip a pumpkin spice latte, or bake a pie for your Thanksgiving table, chances are your pumpkin had its start right here in Illinois.

Illinois continues to lead the nation in pumpkin production, and according to the USDA, farmers harvested a little over 485 million pounds of pumpkins in 2024. The Illinois Farm Bureau notes that the state grows more pumpkins than anywhere else in the world, with 90 to 95 percent of pumpkins used for processing grown here.

Much of that work happens in Morton, Illinois, known as the Pumpkin Capital of the World, where over 85 percent of the world’s canned pumpkin is processed.

This year’s harvest began at the end of August and will continue through early November, filling farms, fields, and patches with pumpkins to be picked and enjoyed.

Be sure to stop by your local pumpkin patch and grab a pumpkin or two to celebrate the spooky season. To find a local pumpkin patch near you, check out Enjoy Illinois’ guide to the state’s best pumpkin patches.

Illinois Archery Deer Season 2025–2026

The Illinois Archery Deer Season began on October 1. For counties that do not have a firearm season, including Cook, DuPage, Lake, and Kane County east of Illinois Route 47, the archery season will run continuously from October 1 through January 18. In counties with firearm deer season and west of Illinois Route 47 in Kane County, the archery season will be divided into three periods: from October 1 to November 20, November 24 to December 3, and December 8 through January 18.

The harvest limits allow one deer per archer and a maximum of two antlered deer per year across all seasons (youth, archery, muzzleloader, and firearm), except during the special Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) season. Deer seasons are counted within the same 12-month period starting from July 1. Hunters should check Hunt Illinois for site-specific regulations, as some public sites may have rules that are more restrictive than state or county regulations.

In Illinois, tree stands are the leading cause of hunting-related accidents, so the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) strongly recommends that hunters review safe tree stand practices before heading out. For additional guidance, hunters can consult the 2025–2026 Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations and view the annual deer harvest report.

For more information about the archery deer season, contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at 217-782-6302 or email dnr.hunting@illinois.gov.