Wilcox Announces Winners of 2026 “My Inspirational Teacher” Essay Contest
I recently hosted an essay contest where students could submit a 250-500-word essay about the teacher who has had the greatest impact on their lives. Over 20 essays were submitted, and the winning essays were featured at the State Capitol May 5-9 during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Congratulations to Erimar Sofia Barrios Azuaje, a 7th-grade student at McHenry Middle School; Austin Wolter, a 7th-grade student at Northwood Middle School; Molly Herber and Savanna Peters, 8th-grade students at Northwood Middle School; and Tyler Black, an 8th-grade student at Antioch Upper Grade School, for your winning essays! You can click here to read their essays.
Senate Republicans Push Back on Tax Increase Proposals
Illinois Senate Republicans are pushing back on a series of tax increases and policy rollbacks proposed by Democrats, warning they would raise costs for families, workers, and businesses.
The proposals include Senate Bill 3353, which would create a new tax on digital advertising, and Senate Bill 3796, which would repeal key provisions of the Blue Collar Jobs Act and eliminate the sales tax exemption on biodiesel.
These proposals would increase the cost of doing business in Illinois and put the state at a competitive disadvantage compared to neighboring states.
The digital advertising tax would be passed on to small businesses that rely on affordable online platforms to reach customers, ultimately increasing costs for consumers. Additionally, removing the sales tax exemption on biodiesel would put the tax back on fuel, raising costs for consumers at the pump and increasing transportation costs across the economy. Those higher costs would then be passed on through higher prices for everyday goods.
In addition, repealing the Blue Collar Jobs Act would reduce job opportunities in construction and manufacturing and discourage future investment in Illinois. I believe Illinois should be focused on policies that encourage economic growth and affordability, rather than proposals that increase costs.
Senate Republicans Advance Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Student Victims of Sexual Assault
Legislation that strengthens protections for students who are victims of sexual assault in schools passed in the Illinois Senate with broad bipartisan support last week. I was a proud supporter of the bill.
Senate Bill 939 establishes a minimum one-year expulsion for students who commit or attempt sexual assault at school or during school-sponsored activities.
The proposal was introduced in response to incidents across the state where students who committed sexual assault were not removed from the school environment, raising concerns about safety and accountability, and generating accusations that the schools were trying to sweep the incidents under the rug.
The bill creates clear consequences for serious misconduct and ensures schools take appropriate action when these incidents occur. School boards would have the ability to review the punishment, but would be required to vote on how to handle the situation, making it much more difficult to hide instances of sexual assault.
Annual Police Memorial Ceremony Recognizes Officers Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice
Law enforcement officers, families, and community members gathered at the Illinois State Capitol on May 7 for the annual Illinois Peace Officers Memorial ceremony honoring officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The ceremony included a procession of squad cars from agencies across the state and a memorial service recognizing both recently fallen officers and officers whose sacrifices occurred many years ago. During the event, the names of eight officers were formally added to the Illinois Peace Officers Memorial.
Among those honored were Chicago Police Department Officer Krystal Rivera and Park Forest Detective Tim Jones, both of whom were killed in 2025 while serving their communities. Six additional historical officers were also recognized for their service and sacrifice.
The memorial ceremony serves as an important reminder of the courage and dedication demonstrated by law enforcement officers across Illinois. Honoring fallen officers ensures their service and sacrifice are never forgotten.