DOWNSTATE
Severe budget cut imposed on Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs). Although Illinois, in the heart of the Corn Belt, is one of the granary locations of the world, the ability to grow crops in the high-rainfall climate of the eastern Midwest is dependent on local infrastructure. Almost all of Illinois’ cropland consists of relatively flat parcels of soil. These land patches have to enjoy enhanced drain pathways for rainwater if they are going to produce crops. In addition, correct drainage engineering prevents soil from washing away into local creeks and rivers.

Studies have shown when students are not engaged in educational activities during the summer break from school they often experience learning loss, effectively erasing gains made during the school year. 

To help students stay ahead of the curve several House Republican lawmakers are sponsoring summer reading programs for kids. The reading programs challenge elementary school-aged students to read on their own during the summer months, choosing their own books and self-reporting their results. 

From January through the end of May, legislators spend much of their time in Springfield representing their districts during the legislative session. Throughout the remainder of the year, your state representatives make it a point to get out into all corners of their districts listening and learning so they can best represent your interests. This may mean hosting townhalls and coffees, attending events and touring local businesses and organizations.

Earlier this month, Illinois State Representative Dan Swanson was named Illinois' Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Representative of the Year. He received the honors at Joint Opening Session of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Illinois state convention in Springfield.

 

Former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke was sentenced today to two years in prison and a $2 million fine after being convicted last December of 13 counts of extortion, bribery, and racketeering charges. Federal prosecutors had sought a 10-year sentence for Burke, who is 80 years old.

 

Under existing Illinois law, Burke may be legally allowed to pay his entire fine using his campaign war chest. Republicans have long sought to close this loophole and prohibit convicted politicians from using campaign funds to pay legal fees or corruption fines.

Burke must surrender on September 23 to begin serving his prison sentence.

State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Cahokia Heights) is supporting legislation aimed at providing support to senior citizens in Illinois. These bills are designed to address the financial challenges that many seniors face, particularly concerning property taxes and healthcare.

ELECTIONS
Judge Rebukes Democrats’ Attempt at Election Interference. Democrats threw quite a curveball in early May during the 2024 Spring Legislative Session, abruptly gutting a Senate child welfare bill and in less than 48 hours enacting legislation that changed Illinois election laws during the middle of an election cycle. The new bill changed the rules on how candidates for public office can get on the ballot for the upcoming November 2024 election.

Each year on June 23rd, International Women in Engineering Day is celebrated to recognize the efforts of women in engineering. This year serves as the eleventh official celebration of the observance and encompasses a worldwide audience of women engineers.

With the 2024 Spring session of the Illinois House now concluded, House Republican legislators are hosting a variety of exciting summer events across our state. State Representatives do so much more than just vote on legislation. Your House Republican lawmakers are planning outreach events in their communities focused on a wide array of community and state services.

The Bald Eagle plays an important role in American society, as it is the national animal and national bird of the United States. It is also featured on the Great Seal of the United States.

National American Eagle Day honors our national symbol and raises awareness for protecting bald eagles. It also helps promote educational outreach and encourages recovery of bald eagles’ natural environments. 

While the Emancipation Proclamation ending slavery was signed by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, the edict would not officially reach Texas until June 19, 1865 - two and half years later. Juneteenth is the annual commemoration of that momentous day when slaves in Texas were declared free by the US Army. Texas was the 

last bastions of slavery during the final days of the Civil War. 

Democrats threw quite a curveball in early May during the 2024 Spring Legislative Session, abruptly gutting a Senate child welfare bill and in less than 48 hours enacting legislation that changed Illinois election laws during the middle of an election cycle. The new bill changed the rules on how candidates for public office can get on the ballot for the upcoming November 2024 election.

A healthcare access bill for diabetic patients, co-sponsored by State Representative Brandun Schweizer, passed through the House and Senate unanimously this Spring and now heads to the Governor, awaiting his signature.

Senate Bill 3414 amends the Illinois Insurance Code and extends access to diabetes glucose monitors and related supplies to all patients, regardless of diabetes type and allows for any physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner to prescribe the monitor, where before monitors were only prescribed if deemed medically necessary.

The United States flag is celebrated each year on Flag Day, June 14, to commemorate the day the official flag act resolution was adopted in 1777.

The Second Continental Congress adopted this resolution on June 14, 1777, which stated that the official American Flag should have thirteen stripes, alternating between red and white, thirteen stars, to represent the states in the union, and a blue field to represent this new constellation.

Each year, to celebrate Father’s Day and encourage people to spend time in nature, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources designates its Free Fishing Days. The annual four-day-long celebration of fathers and fishing lets in-state residents cast their lines without a fishing license, salmon stamp, or inland trout stamp and runs from Friday, June 14 through Monday, the 17th.

Those who are eager to try their hand at catching fish can look forward to a number of events being held by forest preserves, parks, and fishing clubs across the state during the 2024 Illinois Free Fishing Days. Head to Hidden Lakes Trout Farm in Bolingbrook to take advantage of free pole rentals and gifts for Dad, enjoy breathtaking views and free entry at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge in Carterville, or compete in the biggest and smallest fish competition to win prizes at the Father’s Day Fishing Frenzy at Lakefront Park in Fox Lake.

Illinois State Representative Dan Ugaste led the formation of a House Republican working group dedicated to helping all Illinoisans prosper and thrive. 

The Reigniting Illinois’ Strong Economy (RISE) working group introduced a package of legislation in the 103rd General Assembly aimed at reforming policies that are driving job creators out of the state and threatening the prosperity of future generations. 

Ugaste talks about the efforts of the RISE working group and his ongoing commitment to the residents of Illinois on the latest episode of the All Voted Who Wish podcast.

Have All Voted Who Wish · Ugaste rises to the challenge

Seniors and those in need in Illinois scored a big win with the passage of Senate Bill 3476 last month. This legislation creates a sales tax exemption for home-delivered meals, such as Meals on Wheels providers, when payment is made by an intermediary as part of a Medicare or Medicaid program.

The bill helps providers such as Meals on Wheels offer nutritious meals to seniors and those in need at lower costs. Senate Bill 3476 passed both chambers with unanimous support.

Legislation co-sponsored by State Representative Kevin Schmidt passed both chambers unanimously and now heads to the Governor’s desk. The bill, HB 4471 amends the Energy Assistance Act and removes the sunset on the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund, which was previously set for January 1, 2025.

The Democratic supermajority broke their own House Rules during the final hours of session when they allowed lawmakers to vote three times on one piece of legislation to raise taxes. The bill passed on the third vote after failing twice before.

However, House Rules only allow for two votes. According to Rule 72, if legislation on concurrence fails to pass the second time, the bill cannot be called again for another vote. Unless, of course you are in the supermajority. By allowing a third vote, Democratic leaders were able to convince several of their own to change their votes. So, in an overnight session, the tax hike measure passed at 4:30 in the morning, on the third try.

BUDGET
Pritzker signs largest budget in state history; $53.1 billion spending plan includes tax hikes, politician pay raises and a billion dollars for non-citizens. On Wednesday, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law a partisan $53.1 billion spending plan, the largest budget in state history. The Fiscal Year 2025 budget is a whopping $2.6 billion more than last year’s enacted budget and includes pay raises for politicians and a staggering $1 billion for non-citizens. Moreover, Democrats voted for $1 billion in tax hikes to pay for their record-breaking spending.

National Doughnut, or Donut, Day is celebrated every year on the first Friday in June. This tradition started in 1938 in Chicago as a tribute to the Salvation Army’s ‘Doughnut Lassies’ that aided soldiers during World War I. 

In addition to honoring the women who provided doughnuts and coffee to U.S. soldiers fighting in France, National Doughnut Day began as a fundraiser for the Salvation Army in Chicago. These efforts would help the poor and those in need during the Great Depression of that era. 

On June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 Allied troops crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of German-occupied Normandy, France in the largest amphibious assault in world history, now known as “D-Day.”

Codenamed “Operation Overlord,” Allied forces coordinated for months to create a plan on how to break through the Nazi entrenchment known as the Atlantic Wall, a line of defenses that spanned across France and all the way up to the northernmost point of Norway. Allied forces kept the plans secret and went as far to create a fake invasion plan titled “Operation Bodyguard” in order to mislead Nazi forces on where they would land. The United States and her allies intended to land on five different positions of Normandy’s coast, labeled Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.

The economy and job growth continues to be a top priority for House Republican lawmakers as we fight to keep employers from leaving Illinois. In addition to easing burdensome government regulations and tax hikes, employers are also in need of a qualified and highly trained workforce. Investing in employee development and training is a key element in providing the type of workforce needed to keep high-paying jobs in the state and grow Illinois' economy. However, the investments must be made in the right assets to achieve the highest return for Illinoisans.

 

Legislation co-sponsored by Illinois State Representative Nicole La Ha ensuring all children with disabilities receive the support and resources they need to thrive academically now awaits the Governor's signature.

When enacted, Senate Bill 3606 will create a fair reimbursement rate for special education day schools. The bill addresses tuition payment adjustments for children placed in separate public special education day schools. It adjusts state reimbursement rates going to public schools for high cost, high need, special education students. Currently, only public schools sending high need special education individuals to private special education schools get any reimbursement. With the passage of SB 3606, all school districts will be eligible for state reimbursement.

State Representative Amy Elik's legislation to improve government transparency and make it easier for taxpayers to find information about proposed property tax increases now awaits the Governor's signature. 

Senate Bill 3567, introduced by Senator Erica Harriss and sponsored in the House by Elik, expands provisions in the Truth in Taxation Act. The legislation requires local governments proposing to raise their tax levy by more than five percent to post a notice announcing the increase in a prominent location on their website homepage. Additionally, the notice must be posted for a minimum of 30 consecutive days.