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Job seekers in Illinois are not keeping pace with those seeking work in other Midwestern states. At 7 percent, the state’s unemployment rate in August is the 8th highest in the country, lagging behind the national unemployment rate of 5.2 percent. Illinois payrolls are still missing 43 percent of jobs lost at the beginning of the pandemic. The U of

Democrat leaders continue to choose political power over the will of the people by once again not allowing sufficient public input into revised legislative maps forced through the General Assembly on Aug. 31 and signed into law on Sept. 24 by the Governor. It was the second time in five months Pritzker approved maps drawn up by his fellow Democrats

Please join State Senator Syverson and State Representative Jeff Keicher in a Virtual Business Roundtable joined by Rob Karr from the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Clark Kareicher from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and Mark Grant National Federation of Independent Business. This forum will provide local businesses with the latest on new laws and regulations that are impacting your ability

On Sept. 13, Senate lawmakers returned to Springfield to vote on a controversial energy package that includes the largest utility rate increase in Illinois history. Senator Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) issued the following statement after the passage of Senate Bill 2408: “While I wish I could have supported this bill to save the Byron Nuclear Plant, the fact is this

After the recent release of U.S. Census data, Illinois Democrats called the General Assembly back to Springfield for special session on Aug. 31 in order to “fix” their unconstitutional legislative maps. Legislative districts are meant to be roughly equal in population, yet the Democrats’ original maps had a 30 percent population deviation. Prior to that passage of those maps, Republicans,

In the early hours of September 1, lawmakers were forced to vote on a controversial energy proposal that State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) says gives huge subsidies to solar and wind companies at the expense of Illinois’ nuclear fleet. “Byron’s nuclear resources provides some of the most cost-effective and reliable energy available today, and I remain committed to doing everything possible to

“This pay raises awarded to lawmakers should never have been allowed to stand in the budget, especially after a year in which families, businesses and communities across the state have struggled. However, the Democrat majority pushed forward and Governor Pritzker approved the pay raises by signing the state budget into law. Lawmakers are not supposed to be here for the

Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 18, Illinois small business owners can apply for COVID-19 recovery assistance through the new Back to Business (B2B) grant program. The grants are funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The new $250 million rolling grant program builds on last year’s Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program. Within the new program, $100 million is earmarked for businesses

As the start of the 2021-2022 school year approaches, school districts across the state are making final preparations for students’ return to face-to-face instruction. As local school boards were making COVID-19 safety decisions for students and staff, Gov. Pritzker stepped in last week with a new executive order requiring masks for all Pre-K-12 students and staff regardless of their vaccination

The Illinois State Fairs in Springfield and DuQuoin typically bring hundreds of thousands of people through their gates in celebration of agriculture, the state’s number one employer and driver of the state’s economy. The Fairs feature livestock shows, harness racing, carnival rides, a wide variety of live music and entertainers, and dozens of food and product vendors from across the