Wilcox Joins Area Legislators for Algonquin/LITH Chamber Luncheon
It was my pleasure last week to join several lawmakers who cover the Algonquin and Lake in the Hills area for a legislative luncheon sponsored by the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce. We had a packed room of local business and government leaders, and each Senator and State Representative was given an opportunity to provide a legislative update on issues of interest. As a member of the Senate Transportation Committee and with the public transit fiscal cliff still looming, I spent the bulk of my time updating attendees on the (lack of) progress with finding common ground on a solution that is fair and equitable to ALL transit riders and does not place the majority of the financial burden on one region over another.
There has been no appetite on the part of the majority party to return to Springfield prior to veto session to deal with the transit issue, but I have been told it will be taken care of during veto session which is scheduled for the second and fourth weeks of October. The transit systems of Metra, PACE, and the CTA are fully funded through the end of calendar year 2025.
Veterans Bills Sponsored/Co-Sponsored by Wilcox Signed into Law
This is the time of year when the Governor signs or vetoes the hundreds of bills that passed through both chambers of the General Assembly. I am pleased to announce that one bill for which I served as the Chief Senate Sponsor and two others that I co-sponsored were recently signed into law:
- House Bill 1362 (Chief Sponsor): Closes an unintended loophole in the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act (USERA), which ensures that military personnel engaged in military service do not receive a reduction in pay or benefits from their normal jobs due to their military service.
- Senate Bill 39: Exempts veterans living in non-profit veteran housing from having to build expensive EV charging systems on their property.
- Senate Bill 220: Provides that employees at businesses with more than 50 employees can take paid leave to participate in funeral honors for veterans.
Senior Drivers Bill Signed into Law
Legislation I co-sponsored this year that ends discriminatory and antiquated driving test requirement for seniors has been signed into law.
House Bill 1226 eliminates the automatic behind-the-wheel driving test rule for drivers aged 79-87 in Illinois. Currently, drivers aged 79 and 80 must take a driving test whenever their four-year license is due for renewal. For drivers aged 81-86, they must retake the driving test every two years, and after the age of 87, driving tests are required annually.
The provisions of HB 1226 would bring Illinois’ driving laws in line with senior driving regulations in other states. It includes the following provisions:
- Drivers aged 79 and 80 would still be required to visit a DMV facility if they need to renew their driver’s license and take a vision test (and a written test if they have a driving violation on their record) but would not have to take a behind-the-wheel test.
- Drivers between the ages of 81-86 would still be required to visit a DMV facility to renew their license every two years and would have to take a vision test (and a written test if they have a driving violation on their record) but would not have to take a behind-the-wheel test.
- Rules for drivers aged 87 and older would remain the same, with a behind-the-wheel driving test and vision test required annually.
A key provision of the new law allows family members to file a request with the Secretary of State’s office that their loved one still take a behind-the-wheel test. The provisions of the bill take effect on July 1, 2026.
Record Turnout and Participation in Shred Event & Food Drive
I want to thank everyone who came out to the shred event and food drive I hosted with State Rep. Steve Reick over the weekend in Woodstock, and would like to extend a special thank you to everyone who brought non-perishable food items and toiletry donations for local food pantries. It was our most successful event yet, with just under 150 cars coming through over three hours and several hundred non-perishable food items and toiletry items donated. Over the next few days the food and other goods will be sorted, expiration dates double-checked, and deliveries will be made to a few local food pantries.
Next up is the very popular Barks & Brews event! You won’t want to miss this opportunity to see adorable dogs available for adoption while enjoying some of the delicious offerings at Kishwaukee Brewing and chatting with your State Senator. Come see us on Thursday August 21!
Please make sure these events are on your calendar:
- August 21: Barks & Brews Pet Adoption Event, Kishwaukee Brewing, 1900 Dillard Court, Woodstock, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- August 28: Conversations Untapped, Harbor Viewing Company, 136 Cedar Avenue, Lake Villa, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- September 9: IPASS on Demand, Fox Lake Library, 255 E. Grand Avenue, Fox Lake, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- September 17: IPASS on Demand, Lake Villa District Library, 140 N. Munn Road, Lindenhurst, 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- September 23: Traveling Office Hours with Senator Wilcox and Cary Mayor Mark Kownick, Cary Municipal Center, 755 Georgetown Drive, Cary, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- September 30: Medicare 101, Harrison School (Use Entrance #1), 6809 McCullom Lake Rd, Wonder Lake, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- October 14: Senior Resource Fair, Grand Oaks Recreation Center, 1401 IL-176, Crystal Lake, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
New events are added regularly, so please visit the Events page of my website regularly to be kept up to date about events taking place near you.
Governor Opens Potential Floodgate to Lawsuit Abuse
Governor JB Pritzker has now signed Senate Bill 328 into law, despite repeated warnings from Republicans, business leaders, and watchdog groups that the measure will hurt Illinois families, workers, and job creators. The new law allows anyone in the country to sue any business registered in Illinois, even if the dispute has no connection to the state.
Opponents warn that this expansion of legal jurisdiction will invite frivolous, out-of-state lawsuits that will clog Illinois courts, slow down justice for residents, and make companies think twice before investing within the state.
SB 328 cleared the General Assembly in the final hours of the spring legislative session after Democrats used a “gut and replace” tactic to bypass public scrutiny, a move Republican leaders argue violated the Illinois Constitution’s Three Readings Rule. Senate and House Republicans have filed a lawsuit challenging the law’s passage, vowing to continue the fight to protect Illinois families.
This law is a prime example of how special interests are being put ahead of the people of Illinois. The results of this new law will be higher costs, fewer jobs, and fewer opportunities for hardworking Illinois families.
Secretary of State Warns of Text Message Scam
Illinois residents are being warned to watch out for a phishing scam disguised as a message from the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles.
The scam, which has been circulating for several months, employs alarming language, such as “Final Notice” or references to “State Code 15c-16.003,” in an attempt to steal personal and financial information. Some messages claim that recipients owe traffic fines and face vehicle suspension or credit damage if they do not respond.
Residents should be cautious and avoid clicking any links or providing information in response to these messages.
The Secretary of State’s office clarifies that it does not send text messages about driver’s license or vehicle registration status. Legitimate texts from the agency are limited to appointment reminders.
Suspicious messages should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.