Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!
As Thanksgiving approaches, I want to take a moment to thank you for the opportunity and privilege of serving you and the residents of our district. Representing our community is an honor I hold in the highest regard, and I remain deeply grateful for the confidence you have placed in me to advocate for your interests at the state level.
This season offers an important opportunity to pause and recognize the blessings that often go unspoken: the strength of our communities, the support of loved ones, and the promise of the days ahead. However you observe the holiday, I hope it brings you moments of peace and connection with family and loved ones.
In recognition of this holiday, my legislative office will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week.
Still Time to Donate to 2025 Toys for Tots Campaign
Many families are facing difficult financial circumstances, and something as simple as a toy can brighten a child’s holiday. Toys for Tots, sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps, has a long tradition of helping ensure that joy reaches as many homes as possible. My office is serving as a drop-off site, and new, unwrapped toys and other gifts for children of all ages will be collected this year through Friday, December 5. Toys will be picked up on Monday, December 8.
2025 Toys for Tots Collection
Senator Craig Wilcox’s District Office
209 North Benton Street, Woodstock
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Local collection campaigns are held annually in over 800 communities across all 50 states, and either a Marine, a member of a Marine Corps League Detachment, or a member of a local community organization is designated as a coordinator for each community. Once all toys are collected from drop-off locations, coordinators, with the help of local social welfare agencies, church groups, and other community agencies, distribute toys to children who might otherwise have no gift to open during the holidays.
As we reflect on everything for which we are grateful, I encourage those who are able to share their generosity with others. A small gift can make a big difference, and together we can help bring smiles to children across our community.
Senate Republicans Question Illinois’ High SNAP Error Rate
During a recent Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) hearing, Republican lawmakers pressed state officials over major failures in the administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
At the November 18th hearing, representatives from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) were questioned about persistent errors within the food assistance program. Recent reports show Illinois now has one of the highest SNAP error rates in the nation.
Since 2017, the state’s error rate has nearly doubled, reaching 11.56 percent in 2024. Under federal law, states with error rates above 10 percent must repay 15 percent of the total value of their SNAP benefits, potentially costing Illinois millions of dollars if the problem continues.
Taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability in this state-administered program that provides critical support to families. It is unacceptable that there is continued mismanagement that is jeopardizing both recipients and taxpayer dollars.
SNAP provides food assistance to low-income households to help supplement their grocery budgets.
Wilcox Visits with Tech Challenge Team
I recently had an opportunity to meet with students from the Golden Ratio First Tech Challenge (FTC) team. Each year, FTC team members, who attend high school in schools across the 32nd District, design, build and program a robot to complete specific task challenges. The tasks change every year. Teams take their finished robot to competitions and compete against other teams completing the same challenge in a friendly alliance format. Guided by adult mentors from the professional world, teams must raise funds, develop marketing materials, create an engineering notebook, learn programming skills, develop CAD drawings, and build a cohesive team all while practicing good design and engineering skills in building their robot.
During our visit, we discussed legislative initiatives from other states that provide funding for Illinois FIRST teams in order to grow the opportunity for more students and teams to be involved. It was an amazing visit and I enjoyed our conversation!
Firearm Deer Season Safety
The Illinois Firearm Deer Hunting Season is underway, scheduled for November 21st to November 23rd and December 4th to December 7th.
As hunters prepare to head back into the field, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) emphasizes that safety should be their top priority. Last year, tree stands were the leading cause of hunting-related accidents and fatalities. Falling from a tree stand can result in serious injuries, including broken bones, spinal injuries, paralysis, concussions, organ damage, and even death.
To ensure the safety of Illinois hunters, the IDNR recommends using a fall arrest system with a safety harness. Before each use, inspect your tree stand for wear and tear, and use a haul line to safely raise unloaded firearms, bows, and other essential equipment. It is also vital to bring a cell phone and inform a friend or loved one about your hunting location and expected return time to ensure a safe trip. Additionally, hunters are encouraged to avoid the use of drugs and alcohol before and during their hunts.
For more information about safe hunting practices, visit the IDNR’s Hunter Safety Website.
IDOT Warns about Text Message Scams
Illinois residents are being warned about an ongoing phishing scam disguised as a text message from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
The scam claims recipients owe money for traffic tickets, toll violations, or other unpaid fines. Some messages threaten consequences such as additional fees or legal action if the recipient does not respond immediately.
State officials emphasize that IDOT does not send unsolicited text messages demanding payment for tolls, tickets, or penalties. Legitimate notices involving fines are sent through the mail.
Drivers who are concerned about unpaid tolls or fees are advised to verify their status directly by logging into their Illinois Tollway account.
Suspicious messages should not be answered or clicked. Instead, residents are encouraged to report phishing attempts to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).