Senators Wilcox and Syverson to Co-Host Medicare Information Seminar on September 3
Senator Dave Syverson and I would like to invite those interested in learning more about the federal Medicare program to attend a free informational session that will be held in Wonder Lake on September 3.
The federal Medicare system can be tricky to navigate, and it is important that enrollees ensure they have adequate coverage between Medicare and supplemental plans that are available. We are bringing in experts that can help current enrollees understand the system, and help those approaching Medicare eligibility prepare to apply for coverage.
Senators Wilcox and Syverson Medicare 101 Seminar
Thursday, September 3
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Harrison School (Use Entrance #1)
6809 McCullom Lake Road
Wonder Lake, IL 60097
Facilitated by the Illinois Department on Aging, the Medicare 101 Seminar includes information about who is eligible, coverage details and how to get help with out-of-pocket expenses. There is also a question-and-answer period if you need it. It’s a good opportunity to talk with people who know the system well.
Representatives from the Illinois Department on Aging will provide an overview of the Medicare program, including eligibility, enrollment, benefits, and other helpful information.
For more information about this free seminar, please call my office at (815) 455-6330.
Additional upcoming outreach events in the 32nd District include:
- September 10: IPASS on Demand and ICASH/Unclaimed Property in Woodstock
- October 14: Senior Fair in Crystal Lake
- October 25: Veterans’ Appreciation Expo and Luncheon in Lake Zurich
Information about all of these events can be found on the Events page of my website.
Major Rebuild Illinois Investments Coming to District 32
I am pleased to announce that more than $133 million in transportation investments are coming to the 32nd District through projects funded by the Rebuild Illinois capital program. These investments will improve safety and mobility, create good-paying jobs and strengthen the transportation infrastructure our families and businesses depend on every day.
Of the seven major projects in McHenry County, four are scheduled to be completed in 2026, with the remaining projects completed during the next three years.
- Illinois 31 over Nippersink Creek resurfacing. Work began this spring and is anticipated to be completed later this summer. A temporary bridge signal is in place.
- Illinois 47 from U.S. 14 to Illinois 120 reconstruction and additional lanes. Work began this spring and is expected to be completed in late 2029. Daily lane closures are in place.
- Illinois 47 (Seminary Street) at Illinois 176 and at Pleasant Valley Road intersection reconstruction, road realignment and culvert replacement. Work began in 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in early 2027. Daily lane closures are in place.
- Richmond weigh station drainage and landscaping improvements. The project began earlier this summer and is expected to be completed in late summer. The weigh station is closed during construction.
- Illinois 120 from Martin Street to Green Street pavement patching and ADA improvements. Work is anticipated to begin later this summer and be completed this fall. Daily lane closures will be in place. This work has started and lane closures are in place.
- U.S. 14 from State Line Road to Oak Grove Road drainage and landscaping improvements. Work is anticipated to begin later this summer and be completed this fall. Daily lane closures will be in place.
- Illinois 31 from Illinois 176 to Illinois 120 reconstruction, construction of additional lanes, pedestrian and bicycle improvements, drainage improvements, traffic signal modernization and ADA improvements. Work is anticipated to be completed in 2029. One lane of traffic will remain open in each direction. This work is underway, so please drive carefully and be aware of active work sites.
Lake County is also slated to receive a large allocation of Rebuild Illinois funds, including significant improvements along Route 59.
Wilcox Expresses Appreciation to Honor Flight Patriots at McHenry Ceremony
On Sunday, it was my distinct privilege to welcome the McHenry County Honor Flight patriots home upon their return from Washington, D.C. We gathered at Upper McHenry High School to honor these heroes and express our deepest gratitude for their service and sacrifice to our great country.
It was a truly meaningful opportunity to stand alongside our community in recognizing those who have answered the call to serve. Their courage, dedication, and love of country are an inspiration to us all.
Landmark Meta Settlement Should Deliver Nearly $768 Million to Illinois and Lead to New Protections for Children
A landmark multistate settlement should require Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to pay up to $17.1 billion over the next 10 years to resolve allegations that its Facebook and Instagram platforms used addictive features and harmed children, while also forcing the social media giant to implement significant new protections for young users.
Under the proposed agreement, Illinois could receive nearly $768 million over the 10-year settlement period. The financial penalty represents significant accountability for one of the world’s largest social media companies, but the most important part of the settlement is what it could mean for parents and children going forward.
The terms of the settlement state that Illinois’ share is supposed to be used for remedial or restitutive purposes connected to the harms alleged in the lawsuit, and not meant to be absorbed into general revenue spending.
The agreement would require Meta to implement stronger age-assurance measures designed to identify whether users are teenagers or children under 13. Meta would also be required to use technology to identify and remove underage accounts and provide easier ways for users to report accounts believed to belong to children under 13.
Teen users would also receive stronger protections by default. Those safeguards include limits on overnight platform access, daily usage limits, reduced notifications during school hours, prompts encouraging teens to take breaks, stronger privacy and content settings, and additional protections intended to reduce potentially harmful interactions.
Parents would receive additional tools to supervise their children’s accounts, including greater control over time and content restrictions and increased information about their teen’s use of Meta’s platforms.
The settlement also includes accountability measures designed to ensure those protections are actually implemented. An independent auditor would review Meta’s compliance, identify material weaknesses, and oversee corrective actions when necessary.
Legislation Signed into Law Makes it Easier to Get Prescriptions Filled
Illinois patients who arrive at a pharmacy only to find their medication is out of stock will now have an easier time getting their prescriptions filled under newly signed legislation I supported this year.
Senate Bill 3213 expands the types of prescriptions that can be electronically transferred from one pharmacy to another. Previously, Illinois law placed greater restrictions on prescription transfers than federal law, which could leave patients unable to quickly move a prescription when a pharmacy did not have the medication available.
The new law brings Illinois requirements more closely in line with federal standards, making it easier for patients to transfer prescriptions when needed. It also makes it easier for medical professionals to issue prescriptions after hours.
Senate Bill 3213 passed both chambers of the General Assembly unanimously and was signed into law on August 21.
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
- You must not be serving a sentence of confinement in any penal institution as a result of a conviction.
- You may not claim the right to vote anywhere else.
Voters can register online, in person at the office of the election authority, at a DMV, via mail, or with appointed jurisdiction registrars. Online registration does close at the end of the day on October 18.
For those who need to check their registration status or want to register to vote, visit the Illinois Online Voter Registration Application Website.