Audit Exposes Continued Failures at DCFS
A new report from the Illinois Auditor General has once again revealed ongoing failures at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). According to the newest audit, 29 of 34 findings were repeated issues from prior years, a sign of persistent mismanagement under Governor Pritzker’s administration.
Lawmakers say the agency’s inability to address child abuse and neglect cases continues to put vulnerable children at risk. We can never forget the horrific death of AJ Freund after repeated involvement with DCFS, and now, the recent death of 18-year-old Mackenzi Felmlee, who was also known to DCFS, has renewed calls for action.
These repeated failures are unacceptable. It is well-past time to implement meaningful reforms that hold leadership accountable and better protect children in the agency’s care.
The full audit report can be found here.
New Law Aims to Support Illinois’ Next Generation of Farmers
Legislation I co-sponsored this year aimed at helping young farmers overcome barriers to accessing farmland in Illinois has now officially become law.
Senate Bill 2372 creates the Farmland Transition Commission within the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The Commission will be tasked with studying the challenges young farmers face, recommending policy solutions, and helping facilitate the transition of farmland to farmers between the ages of 25 and 40.
This law brings together policymakers, agricultural leaders, and young farmers to ensure the long-term success of farming in Illinois. By improving access to farmland, the state can help preserve family farms and secure the future of agriculture.
Those interested in serving on the new Commission can apply through the Board and Commissions website.
Youth Deer Hunt Lottery Now Open
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is offering youth hunters a chance to participate in a managed deer hunt this fall. A lottery drawing will take place on August 26, 2025, for young hunters to earn a spot in the youth firearm deer season, which is scheduled for October 11 through October 13.
The hunt will be held at Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area (JEPC) in Cass County and the Sangamon County State Conservation Area.
To enter the lottery, applicants must mail a postcard that includes their name, contact information, and preferred hunting site. Entries must be received by the JEPC office by the close of business on August 25. Selected participants will be notified and may purchase a youth either-sex deer permit from any Illinois hunting license vendor starting August 5.
Youth hunters must be under 18 years old as of the start of the season. Only designated open units are available for hunting. Restricted areas, including the controlled and quail management units at JEPC, will be closed.
All participants must have a valid youth deer permit, along with either a youth or apprentice hunting license or proof of completing a certified hunter education course. Youth hunters using an apprentice or youth license must be accompanied by a non-hunting parent, guardian, or grandparent with a valid hunting license. All other participants must be supervised by a non-hunting adult who holds either a hunting license or a FOID card.
Postcards should be sent to:
Youth Deer Hunt
JEPC
10149 County Highway 11
Chandlerville, IL 62627
For more information, call 217-452-7741.
Free Document Shredding Coming to 32nd District
New events are regularly added to my outreach calendar, and next up is a FREE document shredding event in Woodstock, where constituents can drive through and allow event volunteers to take up to two banker-sized boxes of sensitive documents to be fed into the paper shredding truck. I am partnering with State Representative Steve Reick for this event and we will also be collecting non-perishable food items to be donated to local food pantries.
Please make sure these events are on your calendar:
- August 16: Document Shredding Event and Food Drive, Office of State Rep. Steve Reick, 1072 Lake Avenue, Woodstock, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- 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 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.
New Law Strengthens Disability Rights in Community Settings
A new law I supported this year expands protections for individuals with disabilities living in community-based residential settings.
House Bill 57 updates the Essential Support Persons Act to include Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs). This ensures residents in these facilities retain the same right to receive essential visitors as those in other state-regulated facilities.
This change upholds the dignity and independence of individuals with disabilities by guaranteeing equal access to the support they need, regardless of where they live.
Senate Republicans Call Out Pritzker’s Redistricting Double Standard
Senate Republicans are once again calling out Governor JB Pritzker over his role in Illinois’s partisan redistricting process. The criticism follows a recent press conference held by the Governor on August 2 in DuPage County, where he appeared with Texas Democrats who fled their home state to avoid voting on new proposed congressional maps.
The Governor suggested that Illinois may need to redraw its own maps in response to Texas’ efforts and mentioned the possibility of calling a special session of the General Assembly.
Senate Republicans argue that the Governor has no credibility on this issue, pointing to his broken campaign promise to support independent redistricting. In 2021, Pritzker signed partisan maps drawn by Democratic lawmakers, which critics say were crafted to protect his party’s control rather than ensure fair representation.
Pritzker’s effort to weigh in on redistricting in other states while ignoring his own record reveals a clear double standard. As national conversations around redistricting continue, Senate Republicans say the focus should be on serving Illinois families and restoring trust in the process, not preserving political power.