Legislators in Springfield for Final Four Weeks of Session
It’s crunch time in Springfield, and the House and Senate will be in session every week through our scheduled adjournment date of May 31.
In addition to vetting and voting on bills that passed in their chamber of origin and now must be considered by the other chamber, two mammoth issues remain. The first is the passage of a Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the year that begins on July 1, 2025. It is an extremely tight budget year for the State of Illinois, and as budget discussions begin to narrow in scope, I am looking for fiscal responsibility and restraint. There are varying levels of confidence on whether or not we will have an approved FY26 budget in place by the end of May.
Another issue of paramount importance is finding a fair and equitable solution to the pending $770 million fiscal cliff facing our public transit systems of Metra, PACE, and the Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA). This fiscal cliff is real, and it hits later this year. I serve on the Senate Transportation Committee and am focused on a board reconfiguration that is fair and equitable for all six counties in the transit service region, with equality in representation and voting power for the suburbs.
I will provide updates on these and other issues as legislation is finalized.
Pritzker’s Spending Surge Comes at Taxpayers’ Expense
At a time when Illinois families are cutting back to make ends meet, Democrats in Springfield are pushing a $6 billion tax hike to fund massive government expansion, including what is shaping up to be the largest state budget in Illinois history.
Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed budget is nearly $15 billion larger than when he first took office. Now, Democrats want taxpayers to foot the bill through another series of new and expanded taxes.
Illinois already carries the highest overall tax burden in the country. And just last week, the American Legislative Exchange Council released its “Rich States, Poor States” 2025 report, which ranks Illinois near the bottom in a study of how friendly state policies are for economic growth. The report judges each state based on 15 different economic outlook factors, including property tax rate, sales tax rate, top marginal income tax rate, top marginal corporate tax rate, how progressive the personal income tax rate is, as well as whether there is an inheritance tax. The report also considers the state minimum wage, average worker’s compensation costs, whether it is a right-to-work state, the size of the debt, and the number of public employees compared to the state population. Only Vermont and New York scored worse than Illinois on these combined metrics.
The new proposed taxes in the Democrat plan would drive up consumer costs, discourage investment, and make it even harder for family-owned farms and businesses to stay in the family and survive.
Republicans are also sounding the alarm over plans to funnel some of the new revenue into expanding government benefits, including programs for individuals who are in the United States illegally.
While Democrats are pushing tax hikes, growing government, and prioritizing programs that hurt the very people they claim to represent, Senate Republicans are doubling down on their efforts to stand up for working families and fight for lower taxes, more opportunity, and a future where people can afford to stay in Illinois.
A Day of Tribute: Illinois Honors Fallen Officers and K9’s at Memorial Ceremony in Springfield
The Illinois Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony took place on May 1 in the Capitol City to honor the brave law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. For the first time, K-9s who lost their lives in the line of police work were also recognized.
This is Lux, son of Dax, who was honored during the ceremony. Dax worked with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department for many years, and his End of Watch was on April 12, 2014. Lux is following in his dad’s footsteps and is in training to become a Police K-9.
The day began with a squad car procession lining up at the Illinois State Fairgrounds at 6:30 a.m., followed by an interfaith church service at 9:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, less than a mile from the Illinois State Capitol. The formal memorial ceremony was held at the Illinois State Library where officers, families, and officials paid tribute to the fallen heroes whose names will be added to the Illinois Police Memorial.
This ceremony was a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of our law enforcement officers. My Republican colleagues and I proudly stand behind police officers, honoring their service and the sacrifices they make to protect Illinois communities.
The event drew citizens, law enforcement families, and public officials, all united in honoring the memory of those who paid the ultimate price in service to Illinois. Senate Republicans continue to stand with our brave men and women in blue, knowing that their commitment to upholding the rule of law deserves respect and gratitude, and their sacrifices ensure the safety and security of every Illinois citizen.
Billion Dollar Brandon Returns to Springfield with a New Bailout Request
Last week, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was back in Springfield with his latest bailout request for his city. It seems like every few months, Mayor Johnson comes to the legislature with a new wish list and a new request that legislators pay for financial decisions he has made. Whether it is a billion extra dollars for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) on top of the funds they receive through the school funding formula, a billion dollars for a stadium for the Chicago Bears, or a billion dollars for Chicago transit, one familiar theme accompanies these requests: He wants suburban and downstate taxpayers to foot the bill to fill his self-created funding gaps.
I recognize the importance of a thriving Chicago. When Chicago is strong, Illinois is strong, and that is beneficial to all Illinoisans. What worries me is the established habit of Mayor Johnson refusing to control or cut spending, engaging in unaffordable budgeting and contracts, and then looking to the General Assembly to pay for it. Fiscal recklessness in City Hall should not become a burden on suburban families who have worked hard to live within their means.
Do You Need a REAL ID?
Starting May 7, 2025, anyone over 18 years old will be required to present a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification, like a valid U.S. passport, to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities or military bases. Implementing REAL ID standards nationwide was pushed back for years, but it is now taking effect.
You do NOT need a REAL ID in order to drive, vote, enter state-owned buildings, or enter federal buildings that do not require REAL IDs.
Mark Your Calendars for Wilcox Outreach Events!
This summer’s community outreach events kick off on Thursday, June 26 with an ICASH Unclaimed Property Event in Fox Lake. These ICASH events are incredibly popular, and my office’s running total for cash returned to constituents stands at $3,406,150.95! In most cases the recipients didn’t even know they had cash or property waiting for them!
Please mark your calendars now for these upcoming events and visit the Events page of my website regularly to be kept up to date about events taking place near you.
- June 26: ICASH Unclaimed Property Event, Fox Lake Public Library, 255 East Grand Avenue, Fox Lake, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- July 15: Conversations Untapped, Spirit Water Brewery, Distillery, and Taproom, 3300 Three Oaks Road, Cary, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- July 23: Conversations Untapped, Rivalry Ale House, 945 Main Street, Antioch, IL, 5:30PM – 7:00PM
- August 16: Document Shredding Event, Office of State Rep. Steve Reick, 1072 Lake Avenue, Woodstock, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- October 4: Senior Resource Fair, Grand Oaks Recreation Center, 1401 IL-176, Crystal Lake, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Household Hazardous Waste Collection – Crystal Lake
Mark your calendar! On June 7, 2025, Illinois residents can safely dispose of household hazardous waste at Prairie Ridge High School, 6000 Dvorak Drive, Crystal Lake, IL. This free event runs from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM and is co-sponsored by McHenry County. Pre-registration is required (click here to register). Bring items like oil-based paints, cleaners, pesticides, and more but please leave latex paint, propane tanks, and business waste at home.
For safe transport, residents are asked to:
- Pack HHW items in a disposable box to prevent spills
- Keep “like” chemicals together and separate unlike chemicals
- Secure lids and check for leaks
- Place boxes in the empty trunk or storage area, away from passengers
- Remain in your vehicle — on-site staff will unload the materials
Click here to view a full list of items that will be accepted and not accepted at this event.