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Seeking to address Illinois’ longstanding history of gerrymandering, State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) is sponsoring legislation that would remove politicians from Illinois’ redistricting process.

Thousands of new bills are filed every year by lawmakers in Springfield. Some of them feature popular, widely accepted ideas to make the state better, while others seem a little more out of left field. Every week, the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus is highlighting a few of the bills that are outlandish, not very well thought out, or just plain bad for the people of Illinois.

On March 30, Republican legislative leaders in both the Senate and House of Representatives came together to introduce the People’s Independent Maps Act, a proposal to allow Illinois legislative redistricting maps to be determined by an independent commission.

On March 24, it was announced that Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers gave approval to move forward with the Ho-Chunk Nation casino, hotel, convention center and water park resort located just miles from Rockford in Beloit, Wisconsin. After the announcement, State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford), who has championed the development of the Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, expressed his frustration with the continued delay in development for the Rockford-based casino.

Phase 5 of Gov. Pritzker’s reopening plan won’t be coming this week. However, after weeks of pressure from people across Illinois, including members of the business community and employees wanting to get back to work, Gov. Pritzker on March 18 finally outlined a “Bridge Phase” based on vaccination rates.

The Illinois Senate and House Redistricting committees began this week to hold the first of many hearings as the once-a-decade remap process gets underway.

It's time for Illinois to finally end the practice of partisan gerrymandering where politicians are allowed to pick their voters instead of people choosing their elected officials. Sign the petition to add your name to the bipartisan call for a fair, non-partisan redistricting process comprised of an independent commission, so that Illinois can have a healthy, competitive democracy.

On March 18, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced a “bridge” phase between Phase 4 and Phase 5 of his original Restore Illinois Plan. State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) issued the following statement after the Governor’s announcement:

Speaking on behalf of the business and medical communities in his district, Senator Syverson issued a letter to urge Gov. Pritzker to veto the prejudgment interest bill that was passed during the waning hours of the “lame-duck” session in January.

On behalf of the restaurants, retailers and businesses in the 35th Senate District, State Senator Dave Syverson is speaking out against a specific component of Gov. Pritzker’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget proposal.

For months, Senate Republicans have called on the Pritzker Administration for more inclusion of the legislature in all aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic response, including the state’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout. Seeking a solution, and acting on a suggestion by the Governor, over the past several weeks, Senators have been in contact with local health departments, including a Zoom meeting last week with more than 40 county officials, working to identify the major issues they are experiencing in getting vaccinations to their residents.

Prioritizing those hit hardest throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Small Business Administration began accepting applications on Feb. 24 from businesses with fewer than 20 employees for the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Those who meet the criteria have until March 10 to apply.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is urging drivers to slow down and move over for stopped emergency vehicles. This latest Scott’s Law campaign comes after 10 Illinois State Police troopers have been victims of violations so far this year.

“With the Governor signing House Bill 3653, I stand united with the thousands of law enforcement professionals across the state who opposed this blatantly anti-police bill and who continue to voice their concerns about the impact this law will have on our police community. "While supporters of the legislation highlight a couple of positive aspects, it’s clear that they didn’t bring law enforcement to the table to hear their input on the ramifications buried within the nearly 800 page proposal.​​

On Wednesday morning, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) heard a controversial rule promulgated by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for “Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards.”

On Wednesday, Gov. Pritzker presented his Fiscal Year 2022 budget blueprint in a pre-recorded speech delivered from a new vaccine clinic at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The Pritzker budget calls for $41.6 billion in spending and ignores a Constitutional requirement that budgets be balanced according to existing revenue. Despite the Constitutional mandate, Gov. Pritzker is relying on $1.5 billion in funds that do not statutorily exist today.

Lawmakers across the state watched from their respective districts as the Governor delivered a combined State of the State and Budget Address virtually to members of the General Assembly on February 17. State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) issued the following statement following the address:

Despite the public outcry opposing the measure, House Bill 3653, the dangerous criminal justice reform proposal, has officially been sent to the Governor for his consideration as of Feb. 4.

State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) is exited to share that the Hard Rock Casino will be advancing to the next step of development after the Illinois Gaming Board announced their preliminary decision on the Rockford casino license application on February 4.

In an effort to lift the spirits of Illinois' senior citizen community, State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) is partnering with Winnebago County Board Chairman Joe Chiarelli, Belvidere Mayor Mike Chamberlain and Representative Jeff Keicher to collect Valentine's Day cards for their newly introduced Valentines For Seniors Program.

In the early hours of January 13, House Bill 3653, formerly House Bill 163, a dangerous criminal justice reform proposal passed out of the Senate. 

As the clock ticks down toward the end of Lame Duck Session, State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) is voicing his opposition to Democrat lawmakers’ dangerous fixation on pushing through radical multibillion-dollar legislation in the limited time that remains.

Sign the petition below to express your opposition to House Bill 163, which threatens the law enforcement profession by effectively defunding police departments across Illinois.

State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) is bringing attention to the ongoing delays within the Illinois Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card processing system.

Recently, the Illinois State Police issued a reminder to Federal Firearms License (FFL), FOID card and Concealed Carry License (CCL) holders regarding the provisions of the emergency rules pertaining to expiration extensions of FOID cards and CCLs.