News

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.

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.

As the November 6 election approaches, this week state and local officials outlined policies and procedures designed to protect against cyber threats.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is seeking input on public education funding for the fiscal year 2020 budget. Three open budget hearings have been scheduled, giving individuals the opportunity to share their funding requests prior to the agency sending its final recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor.

Illinois has been ranked as the fourth best state in the nation for teachers, according to the personal finance website WalletHub.

A recent list from WalletHub ranks the best cities in Illinois for their labor-market health. More than 120 cities were ranked based on job opportunities, starting salary, employment growth, among other factors.

As part of the recently approved Fiscal Year 2019 capital budget, two local community colleges in the 35th Senate District will receive funding for emergency or deferred maintenance projects on campus.

More than $6.6 million in capital funding has been released to benefit Northern Illinois University as part of the Fiscal Year 2019 capital budget approved by lawmakers in late May. The capital program was appropriated as part of the current FY 2019 state budget.

Friday, August 31, marks International Overdose Awareness Day, an annual global event that aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. The day coincides with the recent signing of a monumental new law to curb opioid addiction in Illinois. Senate Bill 336 creates the Alternatives to Opioids Act of 2018, adding those who might otherwise seek opioids for pain management to the list of those eligible for medical marijuana.

More than 100 new laws were signed this week, advancing changes targeting the state’s teacher shortage, streamlining services for veterans, and giving a leg-up to Illinois’ entrepreneurs.

Illinois has several new laws that address a backlog of applications for nursing home care, provide more first responders with medicines for allergy-related emergencies, boost protections for DCFS workers, and create a new lottery game to benefit families of fallen police officers.