Keeping the Bears in Illinois
With news surfacing on Friday that leadership from the NFL and Chicago Bears met with Governor Pritzker and legislative leaders last week, I remain hopeful that we can find a responsible way to keep the Chicago Bears here in Illinois. The team has made clear that Hammond, Indiana, is still in play, and Indiana has put significant public incentives on the table to attract the Bears. At the same time, recent discussions between Governor JB Pritzker, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Bears minority owner Pat Ryan and legislative leaders demonstrate that Illinois is still working to find a path forward.
I believe keeping the Bears in Illinois is worth pursuing, and that we can finalize a plan that makes sense for Illinois taxpayers. We should not simply write a blank check for a professional sports franchise. If Illinois is going to provide any form of public assistance, there must be a clear and measurable return in the form of jobs, private investment, economic development and increased revenue for our communities and state.
There is still time to get this right. I am optimistic that lawmakers, the administration and the Bears can continue working toward a workable proposal during the fall veto session or, if additional time is needed, during the 2027 spring legislative session. The goal should be a long-term agreement that allows the Bears to build their future in Illinois while ensuring taxpayers are treated fairly and the state receives a meaningful economic benefit in return.
The Bears have been part of Illinois for more than a century, and I would like to see that continue. I will remain engaged in this important issue and look forward to supporting a responsible solution that keeps the team—and the jobs, investment and economic activity associated with a major stadium development—right here in Illinois.
Wilcox Invites Community to Support Toys for Tots Through Local Collection Efforts
Every child deserves the opportunity to experience the excitement and joy of the holiday season, but for families facing financial challenges, providing gifts can be difficult. Toys for Tots gives all of us an opportunity to help make the holidays a little brighter for children in our communities.
This year I am once again partnering with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves’ Toys for Tots campaign, opening my district office as a local collection site for new, unwrapped toys that will be distributed to children throughout the region this holiday season.
In an effort to boost donations further, on October 17, I am partnering with Walmart for a toy donation blitz at the Johnsburg Walmart location. Community members are encouraged to stop by and donate a new, unwrapped toy during the event.
Johnsburg Walmart Toy Collection Blitz
Saturday, Oct. 17
10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
3801 Running Brook Farm Blvd.
Johnsburg, IL
Those who wish to participate but cannot attend the October 17 Walmart event can drop off new, unwrapped toys at my legislative office in Woodstock. Toys will be picked up from the legislative office at the beginning of December.
2026 Toys for Tots Collection
Senator Craig Wilcox’s District Office
209 North Benton Street
Woodstock, IL
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Local Toys for Tots campaigns are conducted annually in more than 800 communities across all 50 states. Each community campaign is coordinated by a Marine, a member of a Marine Corps League Detachment or a designated member of the local community. Following collection, toys are distributed with the assistance of social service agencies, churches and other community organizations to children who might otherwise go without a gift during the holidays.
Wilcox Pushes to Strengthen Protections for Illinois Children
My Senate Republican colleagues and I are renewing our efforts to advance several pieces of legislation aimed at protecting Illinois children from sexual exploitation, trafficking, grooming, and assault.
The three proposals address different gaps and concerns in Illinois law but share a common focus on strengthening protections for children and victims. I am a proud co-sponsor of all three bills in the package.
Recent allegations involving a Mundelein teacher and volleyball coach have renewed attention on Senate Bill 2381, which seeks to address sexually motivated unauthorized recordings of minors. Under current law, a conviction for unauthorized video recording of a minor does not by itself trigger sex offender registration. SB 2381 would make the offense registrable when the victim was under 18, the defendant was an adult, and a court determines the offense was sexually motivated.
We are also pushing Senate Bill 3094 to strengthen protections against child trafficking and grooming. This legislation would prohibit individuals charged with involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, trafficking in persons involving a victim under 18, or grooming from pleading down to lesser offenses. It would also create additional restrictions intended to keep convicted child sex offenders away from facilities providing entertainment exclusively for minors.
A third proposal focuses on sexual assault involving students. Senate Bill 939 would generally require a student determined to have initiated sexual assault or attempted sexual assault against another student to be expelled for at least one year when the offense occurs at school, a school-sponsored activity or event, or another activity or event reasonably related to school. The legislation contains procedures allowing the punishment to be modified under certain situations. The legislation was developed following reports involving students who were sexually assaulted but continued attending school with the students responsible for the assaults.
None of the three measures has yet passed both chambers of the General Assembly.
The proposals demonstrate areas where lawmakers can strengthen protections for children by closing gaps in existing law, imposing appropriate consequences for serious offenses, and ensuring victims and their safety remain at the center of the response. While the bills may address different situations, they all share the same goal of protecting children, standing with victims, and taking action before another family is forced to ask why more wasn’t done.
Wilcox Fall Events Calendar Includes Senior Expo and Veterans Appreciation Event
Event season is winding down, but in addition to the Toys for Tots drive, I have two other events to round out my public outreach calendar for the year.
On October 14, I am co-hosting a comprehensive Senior Expo in Crystal Lake. Over 30 agencies and non-profits that cater to the needs of seniors will all be under one roof for this annual event. In addition to the vendor tables, a variety of free services and healthcare screenings will also be available.
Then, on October 24, I am co-hosting a Veterans Appreciation Luncheon ad Expo in Lake Zurich with my Senate colleague, Senator Darby Hills.
The Expo will provide a reliable place where area veterans and their families can make connections and receive information on many different types of veterans’ programs and resources. This will be followed by a ceremony and a complimentary lunch. Those who are interested in attending the veterans’ event are asked to RSVP by phone at 224-662-4544 or via email at bomalleywest@sgop.ilga.gov.
I am also excited about my upcoming Youth Advisory Council, scheduled for October 27 in Lake Villa. High School students from across the 32nd District are recommended for the program by teachers and counselors at their respective schools, and I am always impressed with the students that attend. If you have a high school student who would be interested in learning more about state government and potential career paths in the public sector, have them contact their school counselor and ask to be recommended.
LIHEAP Portal Now Open
With the onset of cooler weather, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has opened its 2026-2027 application season. The portal for applications opened on Thursday, October 1 for older adults aged 60+, individuals with a disability, families with children 5 years of age and younger, and households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice or have less than 25% in their propane tank. All other income-eligible households can start applying November 1, 2026.
LIHEAP provides one-time benefits to income-eligible homeowners and renters to help with energy bills and for reconnection of energy service. Propane customers who are part of the priority group are encouraged to apply when the program opens in October. Propane prices typically increase during the winter months so by applying early, propane customers will see their LIHEAP benefit go further.
Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through August 13, 2027, or until funding is exhausted.Households that receive a one-time benefit may return during the program year if they become disconnected or get a disconnect notice. Homeowners who have a non-working heating system may be eligible for free repairs.
Click here for additional information.
Protecting Our Families Through National Drug Take Back Day
Unused and expired medications can pose serious risks when they are left sitting in our homes. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, taking place Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., gives Illinois families a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of unwanted medications and help prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.
I encourage residents to take a few minutes to check their medicine cabinets for medications they no longer need and bring them to a participating collection site. The initiative is an important part of preventing prescription drug misuse, accidental poisonings and other dangers associated with improperly stored medications.
The April 2026 Take Back Day resulted in more than 642,000 pounds of unwanted medications being collected nationwide. Since the program began in 2010, more than 21 million pounds of medications have been safely removed from homes and communities.
Keeping our families and communities safe starts with simple steps we can all take. I encourage everyone to clean out their medicine cabinets, safely dispose of medications they no longer need and help make Illinois a safer place for our families.
To find a participating collection site near you, visit the DEA’s National Take Back Day collection-site locator.
Illinois Archery Deer Season Opens in Illinois
Illinois bowhunters can take to the field as archery deer season is now underway statewide. The season opened October 1 and runs in most counties through mid-January, with breaks during portions of the firearm deer season.
Hunters are reminded that Illinois limits the harvest of antlered deer to no more than two per year across all deer seasons combined, including youth, archery, muzzleloader and firearm seasons.
Before heading out, hunters are encouraged to review the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Archery Deer Hunting Rules and Regulations for information on legal hunting devices, hunting hours, clothing requirements, permits, licenses, stamps and other regulations.
For more information about archery deer season, contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at 217-782-6302 or dnr.hunting@illinois.gov.
Speak Up to Protect Southern Illinois Mental Health Services and Jobs
The Illinois Department of Human Services has submitted an application seeking approval to discontinue inpatient psychiatric services at a state facility in Southern Illinois. While this proposal directly affects communities in Southern Illinois, its impact reaches far beyond the immediate area and deserves the attention of policymakers and residents across our state.
Inpatient psychiatric services provide an important resource for individuals and families facing serious mental health challenges. At a time when access to behavioral health care remains a significant concern throughout Illinois, we should be carefully considering how the loss of existing inpatient capacity could affect patients, families and communities.
The proposal also has significant implications for the employees who provide these services. Discontinuing inpatient psychiatric operations would put good-paying jobs at risk and could have a broader economic impact on the surrounding community. These are nurses, mental health professionals, support staff and other workers who play an important role in caring for some of Illinois’ most vulnerable residents.
As a State Senator, I believe decisions involving the future of essential health-care services should be thoroughly considered, and the voices of patients, families, health-care professionals, employees and taxpayers should be part of that process.
I encourage residents who have concerns about the proposed discontinuation to submit written comments to the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board (HFSRB) regarding Project #26-043. Written comments can provide the Board with valuable information about the importance of these services and the potential consequences of eliminating them. Written comments should be sent to:
Mike Constantino, Supervisor, Project Review Section
Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board
525 West Jefferson Street (2nd Floor)
Springfield, Illinois 62761
The deadline for submitting written comments is February 24, 2027. Residents who wish to request a public hearing must submit that request by October 13, 2026 at this link.
Wherever you live in our state, I encourage you to stay informed and make your voice heard. Protecting access to mental health care and preserving the jobs of the professionals who provide that care should be important considerations as the state reviews this proposal.