Friday Deadline for Valentines for Seniors Approaches
We are receiving some really nice valentines for this year’s Valentines for Seniors program. The deadline for submissions is this Friday, February 7, and we could use more valentines to ensure every senior at an assisted living center or nursing home in the 32nd District receives a special surprise this Valentine’s Day.
Cards and drawings can be mailed to or dropped off at my district office in Woodstock between now and February 7. My office staff and I will personally deliver the cards and drawings on your behalf the week of Valentines Day.
Valentines can be dropped off or mailed to:
209 North Benton Street
Woodstock, IL 60098
Just a few minutes of your time will make big difference and brighten the day of a local senior!
Woodstock Willie Predicts an Early Spring!
There was a huge crowd in and around the historic Woodstock Square on Sunday as Woodstock Willie, the seer of seer, the prognosticator of all prognosticators made his annual appearance and did NOT see his shadow. According to Woodstock Willie, we are in for an early Spring!
Groundhog Days is a special annual celebration in Woodstock centered around the famous 1993 movie “Groundhog Day,” which was filmed in Woodstock.
Joining in the fun and adding his “celebrity” to this year’s festivities was actor Stephen Tobolowsky, who played the character of Needlenose Ned in the movie. This year’s event took place from Thursday, January 30 through Sunday, February 3, with the prognostication taking place at 7:00 AM in the center gazebo on the Square.
My thanks go out to the committee that works hard all year to pull this wonderful celebration together. The community spirit shown every year is simply remarkable, and the event draws people from across Illinois, across the nation, and even around the world.
New Legislation Would Require Law Enforcement in IL to Coordinate with ICE
With public safety a top priority, I am co-sponsoring legislation this year that would close critical gaps in state immigration policies, which currently allow undocumented immigrants convicted of violent crimes to remain in Illinois.
Senate Bill 1313 requires state law enforcement to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify, report, and deport undocumented individuals who commit serious offenses—such as violent crimes, drug offenses, and sex crimes—ensuring their removal from Illinois to enhance public safety.
The legislation exposes a glaring contradiction in Governor J.B. Pritzker’s stance on public safety. Despite his public claim that “violent criminals who are undocumented and convicted of violent crime should be deported,” the TRUST Act he still actively supports ties the hands of law enforcement, preventing them from working with federal authorities to deport most offenders. Republicans argue this hypocrisy endangers public safety and leaves Illinois families vulnerable to dangerous repeat offenders.
By removing these restrictions and enhancing coordination with ICE, I believe law enforcement will be better equipped to remove undocumented felons and improve public safety. My Senate Republican colleagues and I urge Governor JB Pritzker and Democrat lawmakers to support these measures to prevent violent criminals from staying in Illinois.
Ending The Silence: New Legislation Seeks to Address Sexual Assault in Schools
This year I am also co-sponsoring legislation aimed at holding students accountable for committing sexual assault in schools.
Senate Bill 98 mandates that any student found guilty of sexual assault, sexual violence, or engaging in sexual activity without consent at a school or school-affiliated event be expelled for at least one year.
The bill was introduced following an incident in the Taylorville school district, where a young girl was sexually assaulted, and the attacker was only moved to an alternative school after the victim’s mother pursued legal action. The proposed legislation seeks to protect victims and ensure offenders face appropriate consequences while also offering a path for rehabilitation for juvenile offenders.
Under the bill’s provisions, students found guilty of sexual assault or violence at school or related events will face a minimum one-year expulsion. This mirrors existing expulsion policies for weapons violations, ensuring a consistent and firm response to serious misconduct.
The legislation underscores the need for safe learning environments and accountability for offenders. It addresses gaps in current policies by establishing clearer consequences for sexual assault and ensuring schools take appropriate action to protect students.
The Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) has endorsed the bill, highlighting its potential to improve how schools handle sexual assault, support survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable.
Illinois Nears the Bottom in National Education Freedom Rankings
A recently released report ranks Illinois as 38th in the nation for education freedom. The 2025 Index of State Education Freedom by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), gives the state a “D” grade, due in part to the end of the Invest in Kids program, which provided scholarships for low-income students. Illinois did receive an “A” for its supportive homeschooling environment.
The index evaluates states on school choice, charter schools, homeschooling, virtual schooling, and financing programs that allow funding to follow students. Top-ranking states include Florida, Arizona, and Arkansas, while New York, Massachusetts, and Oregon ranked lowest.
I believe that Illinois desperately needs to launch a new program similar to “Invest in Kids,” to help students in failing schools by offering them a choice to attend another school where they can succeed and thrive.
Illinois Struggles with High Unemployment and Lagging Job Growth
Illinois’ job market remains sluggish, with an unemployment rate of 5.2% in December, the third highest in the nation. Approximately 340,000 residents were actively seeking work, outpacing only California and Nevada in unemployment. The national rate was 4.1%.
In 2024, Illinois added 56,000 jobs, but its growth rate of 0.92% lagged behind the national average of 1.42%. The state saw gains in government jobs and private education and health services, but key sectors such as manufacturing and finance experienced declines.
Illinois’ post-pandemic recovery remains weak, ranking 46th in the nation with only a 0.25% increase in jobs since January 2020. High taxes, a burdensome business environment, and rising housing costs are contributing to the state’s sluggish economic performance.
The key to reversing Illinois’ sluggish job market lies in comprehensive tax reform and fiscal responsibility, emphasizing the need to lower taxes, simplify regulations, and address the state’s budget and pension issues. By providing real relief to businesses and working families, Illinois can foster job growth, attract skilled workers, and restore economic vitality.