IPASS on Demand Event Added to Wilcox Fall Events Schedule
I want to thank everyone who came out for my Medicare 101 seminar last week. We had a great turnout and attendees asked some really good questions.
This week I am hosting one of my favorite events of the year, Barks & Brews. I’m partnering with K9s4U and Kishwaukee Brewing Company in Woodstock for an evening of casual conversation and an opportunity to adopt your new best four-legged friend! Please mark your calendars for this and other upcoming events in the 32nd District:
- 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
- October 28, IPASS on Demand: Algonquin Township Building, 3702 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake, 3:00 – 7:00 PM
You can visit the Events page on my website to learn more about these events.
Registering to Vote
With the general election just around the corner, now is the time for Illinois residents to learn more about the voting process and how to register. Whether you’re a first-time voter or need to update your information, voting is a way to make your voice heard in government.
Voter requirements in Illinois include:
- Being a U.S. citizen
- Living in your election precinct for at least 30 days prior to Election Day
- Being at least 18 years old by the date of the general election
Individuals serving a sentence in a penal institution are not permitted to vote, and voters may only claim the right to vote in one location.
For those who need to check their registration status or want to register to vote, visit the Illinois Online Voter Registration Application Website.
National Farm Safety & Health Week is Underway
National Farm Safety and Health Week, observed from September 15 to 21, highlights the importance of safety in the agricultural industry.
This year’s theme, “Don’t Learn Safety by Accident,” stresses the need for farmers and communities to take a proactive approach to safety education. Each day focuses on a different aspect, including equipment safety, health and wellness, and reporting farm-related injuries.
With harvest time approaching, this week serves as a reminder to stay cautious and mindful of the risks associated with farming. In 2022 alone, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 417 fatalities in agriculture, making it one of the most dangerous industries in the nation. Farmers continue to face hazards such as tractor accidents, roadway collisions, and confined space dangers.
Recognized since 1944, National Farm Safety and Health Week encourages farmers to adopt safer practices. By focusing on awareness and preparedness, the goal is to reduce accidents and protect those working in one of the nation’s essential industries.
For more information about the awareness week, visit the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety’s website.
IDNR to Accept Agricultural Lease Bids for 2025-2029
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will soon accept sealed bids for approximately 30 agricultural lease contracts covering the 2025-2029 crop years. These leases are designed to enhance wildlife populations and improve recreational areas while promoting sustainable farming practices that benefit both the environment and wildlife habitats.
IDNR sites with available leases will be listed on BidBuy, Illinois’ official procurement site. A non-mandatory vendor conference will be held for each lease, with details included in the public notices.
IDNR encourages bidders to register on BidBuy using the appropriate NIGP codes for farming activities. Once registered, they will receive notifications about upcoming agricultural lease bid openings.
For more information and a list of available lease opportunities, click here.
IDOA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
To support the state’s specialty crop industry, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) will distribute nearly $525,000 over the next three years through the 2024 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program.
This funding, made possible by the 2018 Federal Farm Bill, is available to non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and local governments.
The IDOA partnered with an external review committee to select the funding recipients. Priority was given to applications focused on educational outreach in socially disadvantaged communities, as well as research projects conducted through public schools and universities.
Awardees include:
- Elawa Farm Foundation
- Freeport Student Garden
- Fuller Park Community Development
- Gardeneers
- Illinois Specialty Growers Association
- Southern Illinois University
- University of Illinois
- University of Illinois Extension
Additional information about the program and the awardee’s proposed projects can be found here.
New Study Shows Illinois Losing Young, High-Earning Professionals
Young professionals are rapidly becoming one of Illinois’ top exports according to new data from SmartAsset, which ranks Illinois among the top states losing millennials to more tax-friendly states.
The report ranked states based on how many young households earning $200,000 or more left in 2022. Illinois came in second, with 1,323 households between the ages of 26 and 35 choosing to move to more tax-friendly states.
Illinois’ high tax burden has long been cited as a major factor in driving residents out of state and compounding Illinois’ outmigration problem. Just this spring, Governor Pritzker signed nearly $1 billion in new taxes into law, primarily to fund spending on the migrant crisis he invited to the state.
As long as the Governor and his allies continue pushing their misplaced priorities at the expense of working families, residents will continue to seek genuine relief elsewhere. They stress that state leaders need to recognize these trends and do more to protect families working daily just to make ends meet.