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Senate Committees met throughout the week, considering a wide variety of legislation ahead of the March 22 deadline to move Senate Bills out of committees. From controversial measures, like a proposal to repeal parental notification for abortions, to legislation that would target fentanyl, and a measure to protect victims in sexual harassment cases, many pieces of legislation were considered in Senate committees this week.

Before lawmakers returned to Springfield on March 5, members of the Senate Subcommittee on Capital met in Edwardsville to discuss capital and infrastructure needs throughout southern Illinois.

Ratings agencies gave Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s budget proposal the cold shoulder this week, noting a dependence on one-shot revenues, an uncertain pension proposal and punting on real fiscal progress.

Illinois’ new Governor outlined his spending plan for the coming year, and a controversial minimum-wage measure has been signed into law. Also during the week, an environmentally-minded legislative package, which has gained bipartisan support, would offer communities greater protections from ethylene oxide.

On Feb. 23, newly-elected Governor JB Pritzker delivered his first-ever budget address before members of the General Assembly.

Just weeks into the start of spring Legislative Session, the Senate voted on a Democrat initiative to incrementally increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour – a plan that could have huge repercussions for employers across the board, including public universities, school districts, and not-for-profit organizations.

On February 7, a costly 15 dollar minimum wage increase to be phased in over the next 6 years was passed out of the Senate.

Every ten years after the U.S. Census is taken, Illinois redraws its Congressional and Legislative District maps. The current process allows the politicians to draw their own legislative districts taking the people totally out of the process. This then makes legislators beholden to their leaders who draw their districts not to the people they represent. While this has worked well for politicians in the past, it has not for the people of this state. Recently, I signed on as a sponsor for Senate Joint Resolution-Constitutional Amendment 4 that would give voters the opportunity to amend the Constitution...

Senate lawmakers braved the cold in Springfield this week as they returned for their second week of session starting Jan. 29. The Senate convened again Jan. 30-31, despite the Governor issuing a disaster proclamation due to the onslaught of artic temperatures.

Senate Republican Committee assignments were announced for the new 101st General Assembly, warming centers can provide help managing the predicted bitterly cold weather across the state and its tax filing season.

A new Administration transitioned into power this week with Governor J.B. Pritzker being sworn into office on Jan. 14. Also during the week, the Senate Republicans underwent their own transition, announcing new and continuing appointments to their leadership team.

State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) will continue his role as Senate Deputy Republican Leader, having recently been reappointed to this key leadership position by Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady.

"It was an honor to attend the swearing-in of the new chief executive of the State of Illinois. I look forward to working with Governor Pritzker on the issues important to the people of Northern Illinois...

Illinois lawmakers gathered in Springfield this week for the final days of the 100th General Assembly, Senate Republicans voted for Bloomington Senator Bill Brady as Leader of their caucus, Gov. Bruce Rauner issued a progress report in the last week of his administration, and the state received a $3.7 million early childhood education grant...

I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve the people of Northern Illinois. I’m also honored to have been asked to continue to serve in the role of Deputy Republican Leader. Illinois is facing some major challenges, but with the fundamentals in place in Illinois...

A bipartisan proposal championed by Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) and State Senators Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) to give counties that pass public safety sales tax referendums additional flexibility in directing use of new revenue generated by the tax was signed into law recently...

When the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 1, 2019, 253 new laws will take effect in the state of Illinois. New laws run the gamut from fighting the opioid crisis and promoting car-seat safety to allowing blaze pink hunting gear...

This week, the state of Illinois celebrated its 200th birthday. State government also mourns the passing of former president George H. W. Bush, and IDOT is...

Legislators were in Springfield for the final week of the Fall Veto Session, taking action on measures vetoed or amendatorily vetoed by the Governor...

The Illinois General Assembly is in recess this week for Thanksgiving before gearing up for the final week of the Fall Veto Session next week. Meanwhile, in less than two months, the new General Assembly and Governor will take office....

Illinois lawmakers gathered in Springfield this week for the Fall Veto Session, a Senate committee called for action to end an environmental crisis in the suburbs, and Senate Republicans unanimously elected State Senator Bill Brady of Bloomington to the position of Senate Minority Leader. Also, with the holidays fast approaching, the Illinois Department of Public Health is offering safe food-handling tips to ensure Illinoisans have a healthy Thanksgiving, and hunters are reminded to focus on safety with the beginning of deer hunting season...

Winnebago County, along with other counties that pass public safety sales tax referendums in the future, may soon have added flexibility in how they use those funds, under bipartisan legislation passed in the Illinois Senate by State Senators Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) and Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford)...

The legislative agenda is set for the six-day fall Veto Session that begins Nov. 13, there’s important news for Illinois businesses, and residents can help give Illinois service men and women a touch of home with the Holiday Hero Drive. In other news, the deadline for filing Illinois Business Income Tax has been extended, and the arrival of colder weather is a timely reminder about Winter Preparedness Month for motorists...

Lawmakers are set to return to the State Capitol Nov. 13 to begin scheduled fall “veto session,” which is currently scheduled for Nov. 13-15 and Nov. 27-29.

Nominees are being sought for open seats on Illinois’ newly-created Route 66 Centennial Commission, and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is also seeking input on a public campaign urging safety on state roadways.