Wilcox Responds to Assassination Attempt on President Trump
The assassination attempt on President Trump over the weekend will go down in history as a moment where most of us will always remember where we were when we heard the news. It saddens me to know there are people in this country who believe opening fire on a political figure is somehow heroic. My deepest gratitude goes out to Secret Service officials who prevented even more harm from coming to Donald Trump, but Americans deserve transparent answers to the many questions regarding how this event was even possible to occur. Additionally, my most sincere condolences go out to the family of Corey Comperatore, who bravely died while shielding his family from gunfire, and I wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured in the violent attack.
As a military man, I have seen the best and the worst of humanity. I also know that politics has long been dubbed a “blood sport.” But the attack on Donald Trump on Saturday underscores just how polarized, hateful, and hyper-partisan our political landscape has become. We must come together as a country and denounce any violence aimed at political officials. More importantly, it is well past the time that we return civility to the political conversation. We must commit ourselves to civil discourse in our political discussions. It is OK for us to disagree. We can have robust political discussions and still be agreeable people.
God Bless America.
New Data Shows 87,000 Illinois Residents Flee the State
New data from the Internal Revenue Service shows that in 2022 alone, more than 87,000 Illinoisans, faced with some of the highest taxes in the nation, relocated to other states. This exodus saw nearly $10 billion in income leaving Illinois, significantly impacting the state’s economic landscape. The City of Chicago earned the unfortunate, yet unsurprising, distinction of having the third-highest rate of domestic population loss in the country.
Illinois’ high tax burden has long been a critical factor driving residents to seek refuge in more tax-friendly states. This spring, Governor J.B. Pritzker made it clear that working families are unlikely to see meaningful tax cuts any time soon, signing nearly $1 billion in tax hikes into law to fund spending on the migrant/illegal immigrant crisis.
New Illinois Law Ensures Educational Continuity for Children in DCFS Care
Children in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will face fewer disruptions when being removed from their homes under a new law for which I served as a proud Chief Co-Sponsor. It represents a significant step forward in stabilizing the lives of these vulnerable children, prioritizing their educational continuity and well-being.
Senate Bill 2824 ensures that children, whenever possible, can continue attending their current school even after being placed with a different parent or relative. The aim is to provide a sense of stability and normalcy during an otherwise tumultuous time in their lives. The importance of maintaining the same school environment cannot be overstated, as it allows children to retain their friends, teachers, and support systems, which are crucial for their emotional and academic development.
Additionally, the new law includes a provision to protect caregivers from added financial burden. If it is deemed to be in the best interest of the child to attend a different school, the law stipulates that no out-of-district school tuition can be charged to the relative caregiver or foster parent.
Senate Bill 2824 passed unanimously in the Senate and House and was signed into law on July 1. The provisions take effect on January 1, 2025.
Republican-backed Legislation to Align Education with Workforce Needs Becomes Law
Legislation aimed at bridging the gap between college and Illinois’ evolving workforce needs was signed into law earlier this month, marking a pivotal step toward aligning academic programs with the state’s dynamic economic landscape.
Senate Bill 2862, a bill I was happy to support, requires the Illinois Board of Higher Education to release an annual comprehensive list of the most in-demand jobs in the state. This proactive measure will equip educators with information on job trends that will help better prepare students for successful careers in Illinois’ rapidly changing job market. It’s an initiative that not only benefits students but also strengthens the state’s economy by fostering a workforce that is well-equipped to meet the needs of employers.
The comprehensive job list will be publicly accessible via the Board of Higher Education’s official website. After passing the General Assembly unanimously earlier this year, the measure was signed into law on July 1 and took effect immediately.
Summer Events Continue in 32nd District
We have recently added some additional events to my summer/fall events calendar. Please mark your calendars now for the following:
- July 17, ICASH Unclaimed Property Day: Algonquin Township Building, 3702 US-14, Crystal Lake, 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
- August 5, Secretary of State REAL ID Event*: McHenry City Hall, 333 S. Green Street, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- August 17, District Office Open House: Wilcox Office, 209 N. Benton Street, Woodstock, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- September 11, Medicare 101: Nippersink Public Library, 5418 Hill Rd, Richmond, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- September 19, Barks & Brews: In cooperation with K9s4U at Kishwaukee Brewing Company, 1900 Dillard Court, Woodstock, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- September 25, Conversations Untapped: Richmond Brathaus, 10310 North Main Street, Richmond, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- October 2, Conversations Untapped: The Grove Pub and Grill, 2008 Main Street Road, Spring Grove, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- October 15, Senior Health Fair: Crystal Lake Park District Grand Oaks Building, 1401 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
* For the Secretary of State REAL ID event, registrations are required. Appointment spots are filling up, so do not delay if you want to get a REAL ID at this event. Walk-ins will not be able to be served, so if you want to reserve a time, please call my district office at (815) 455-6330. Additionally, please refer to the check-list in the graphic to ensure you arrive with all necessary documents to complete a REAL ID transaction.
Recognizing Illinois’ Finest: The ‘Illinoisan of the Day’
The Illinois State Fair Museum Foundation is seeking nominations for the “Illinoisan of the Day” program at this year’s Illinois State Fair, running from August 8 to 18. The foundation aims to recognize 10 outstanding community servants each day who have significantly contributed to county and state fairs in Illinois.
To be eligible, nominees must be Illinois residents, 25 years or older, with a history of service at state and/or county fairs in the state. Nominees should also demonstrate the characteristics of integrity, dependability, community spirit, and strong ethics. Those selected will be honored during one of the days of the Illinois State Fair.
Nomination forms are available on the foundation’s website at www.illinoisstatefairmuseum.org, with a submission deadline of July 20.
Wilcox Reminds Professional License-Holders Not to Delay in Renewing Licensure
My office hears regularly from professionals who get caught up in bureaucratic red tape when applying for or attempting to renew a professional license through the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation. Several professional licenses, included those listed in the graphic, expire on September 30 of this year.
I would encourage license-holders to act now to renew their licenses to avoid lapses in coverage. Those who need to apply for professional licenses are also urged to give plenty of time for processing due to long lag times that have been reported to my office.
My talented staff is able to provide assistance in cases where licenses are taking an unreasonable amount of time to be renewed or processed. Let us know if we can help!
IDOT Urges Caution as Roadside Mowing Continues
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is reminding drivers to exercise caution, slow down, and avoid distractions as maintenance crews continue roadside mowing into the summer months.
Beginning July 1, IDOT conducts both safety mowing, directly adjacent to the road as needed, and maintenance mowing, including areas next to culverts, ditches, traffic control devices, and other structures.
According to the most recent statistics, Illinois averages almost 6,100 crashes in work zones each year, resulting in 1,600 injuries and 28 deaths. Heavy maintenance mowing will continue until August 15.