Plenty of Successes Reflected in FY 2027 Budget
When working from the position of the super-minority, much of our work as Republicans involves trying to stop damaging legislation that is filed. My Republican colleagues and I had great success with that this year.
When the Governor presents his recommended budget in February, we get a glimpse of the proposals that could find their way into the final budget that is presented in late May. The Governor’s recommended budget included some very problematic priorities, including another reduction in the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) and the passage of a BUILD proposal that would remove local control on zoning and housing density issues and eliminate the very successful Blue Collar Jobs Act.
I am very happy to report that our caucus’ advocacy on behalf of local units of government and working families stopped some damaging legislation, and improved several elements of the budget.
BUILD Act
The single issue that was at the top of the list of priorities for our municipal and other community partners was the devastation that would be caused if Governor Pritzker’s BUILD proposal was passed. A great deal of time was spent fighting back against the misguided proposals. I am thrilled to report that the BUILD bills did not advance during the spring legislative session. I applaud all of the community leaders who made their voices heard on this issue; with me, with other legislators, and with the Pritzker administration. Stopping these bills is one of the greatest accomplishments of this legislative year.
Stripping of Local Control on Zoning Issues
One of the most disturbing elements of the BUILD proposal was a measure that would take local decision-making authority out of the hands of local elected officials and place those decisions in the hands of state bureaucrats. I have always maintained that those on the ground at the local level are in the best positions to make decisions that affect housing density and community planning.
Blue Collar Jobs Act
The Blue Collar Jobs Act, passed in 2019, was the product of a thoughtful, bipartisan agreement. Democrats and Republicans came together to modernize how Illinois supports job creation and capital investment. It has helped businesses expand facilities, modernize operations, and create good-paying jobs. These kinds of investments support contractors, suppliers, and local economies. Thousands of Illinoisans have benefited from good-paying jobs tied to the Blue Collar Jobs Act.
Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF)
The Governor’s recommended budget called for another reduction in the amount of money that is sent to municipalities. These cuts directly lead to property tax hikes at the local level. The final budget has the LGDF percentage remaining the same as in the FY 2026 enacted budget (6.47%). While the LGDG is remaining flat this year, it still is, and has been since 2011, a broken promise by the state by not providing the full 10% of income tax received to local governments. I will continue to push for this promise to be made whole in future budgets.
Education Funding
The portion of the education budget that provides funds to a Property Tax Relief Fund was initially scheduled to see a $45 million reduction. Again, because of pushback by Republicans, the $45 million was restored in the approved budget.
Confusing Credit Card Swiping Issue
You have undoubtedly seen the television commercials about the confusion that would be caused by the credit card swiping fee law that was approved last year and was set to take effect on July 1, 2026. Due to significant pushback from lawmakers, consumers, and businesses, the effective date for the bill has been pushed back by another year. This should provide time to fix the issues within the bill that are causing confusion.
June 22 Mobile DMV Event in Antioch Filled to Capacity; Second Event Set for June 30 in Cary
Mobile DMV events continue to be very popular in this area, and a June 22 event taking place in Antioch is already filled to capacity. There are no more appointments available for the Antioch event. However, State Rep. Steve Reick and I are bringing a mobile team from the Secretary of State’s Office to Cary on June 30 for another mobile DMV event.
Registration is required to attend. For an appointment in Cary, please register at https://repstevenreick.com/mobile-dmv-sign-up/ or call my office at (815) 455-6330. Before coming to the event, attendees should visit the official website for the Illinois Secretary of State to learn about identification requirements for specific services. This is especially important for those wanting a REAL ID, as specific forms of ID are required.
Seniors aged 78+ must visit an established Secretary of State Driver Services facility to renew a driver’s license. Payments must be made by check, credit card, debit card, or money order. No cash will be accepted.
Additional upcoming outreach events include:
- June 30: Mobile DMV in Cary
- July 8: Conversations Untapped in Antioch
- July 22: ICASH/Unclaimed Property in McHenry
- July 29: ICASH/Unclaimed Property in Fox Lake
- August 6: Barks & Brews Pet Adoption in Woodstock
- August 8: Document Shredding and Food Collection in Woodstock
- August 13: Property Tax Exemptions Seminar in McHenry
- August 25: IPASS on Demand Sticker Event in Lindenhurst
- September 10: IPASS on Demand Sticker Event in Woodstock
- October 14: Senior Fair in Crystal Lake
- October 25: Veterans Appreciation Luncheon in Lake Zurich
You can learn more about these events on the Events page of my website or by contacting Abby from my events staff at amccarthy@sgop.ilga.gov.
Democrats Push Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Residents and Noncitizens
In the final hours of spring session, Democratic lawmakers pushed through controversial legislation that expands taxpayer-subsidized tuition benefits to individuals who may no longer live in Illinois, including some noncitizens.
House Bill 5093 would allow additional students to qualify for in-state tuition at Illinois public universities and community colleges even if they have established residency outside of Illinois, as long as they previously attended and graduated from an Illinois high school or attended an Illinois community college.
The proposal comes at a time when Illinois’ higher education system is already facing serious challenges. Recent media coverage has reported declining enrollment across Illinois’ public university system, with nine of the state’s 12 public universities losing students since 2006. Illinois has also been cited as having among the highest in-state tuition costs in the nation.
I believe that HB 5093 will only add to those challenges by driving up costs for Illinois students and families while extending taxpayer-subsidized benefits to individuals who may no longer call Illinois home. Rather than prioritizing families who live, work, and pay taxes in Illinois, this legislation broadens eligibility for discounted tuition to students who may come to Illinois for an education and then leave or who have already established residency elsewhere.
Lawmakers Pass Ticket Sale Consumer Protection Bills
As the Illinois General Assembly wrapped up the spring 2026 legislative session, lawmakers approved two measures aimed at strengthening consumer protections in the online ticket sales and resale market. I was pleased to support both bills.
Senate Bill 318 creates the Prohibition on Bots Purchasing Tickets Act, which targets the use of automated software, commonly known as “bots,” to purchase event tickets online. The legislation prohibits the use of bots or other automated programs that replicate human activity to buy more tickets than the posted purchase limits allow.
House Bill 4984 updates the state’s ticket resale laws by addressing a growing concern in the online ticket marketplace known as “ghost ticketing.” Under this bill, a seller would be prohibited from offering or selling a ticket they do not actually own or have in their possession.
The aim of both bills was to reduce fraud, prevent misleading resale practices, improve transparency in ticket availability, and give Illinois consumers greater confidence when purchasing tickets online.
SB 318 and HB 4984 should be signed into law this summer.
Children’s Online Safety Legislation Passes
In the early hours of June 1, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation designed to strengthen online protections for children and provide parents with additional tools to help keep their families safe in the digital age.
House Bill 5511, known as the Children’s Online Safety Act, establishes new safeguards for minors on social media platforms, including enhanced privacy protections, expanded parental controls, and restrictions on certain interactions between minors and adults.
The legislation aimed to address growing concerns about online safety and the impact social media and technology can have on young people. Senate Republicans say the measure is intended to give families additional resources to navigate an increasingly digital world while helping protect children from harmful online interactions.
County Fairs Kick Off Across Illinois
Across Illinois, communities are gearing up for one of the state’s favorite summer traditions as county fairs prepare to showcase local agriculture, small businesses, entertainment, and the people who help drive Illinois’ rural economy.
With more than 100 county fairs held across the state each year, fairgrounds are set to come alive with livestock shows, carnival rides, food vendors, grandstand events, and opportunities for families to celebrate the best of Illinois agriculture.
For more information on your local 2026 County Fair Schedule visit Illinois Department of Agriculture 2026 County Fair Schedule.