Week of 12/06/2021
Conservation Task Force
Barickman appointed to lead Thirty-by-Thirty Conservation Task Force
Kankakee Times
Emily Bevard
12/06/2021
“State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) has been appointed to lead the Thirty-by-Thirty Conservation Task Force, which aims to help protect the state’s natural resources.”
“The Thirty-by-Thirty Conservation Task Force was officially created in August through House Bill 3928. Barickman was a chief sponsor of the bill, also sponsored by Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Champaign).”
“Barickman was appointed to head the committee Nov. 23 by Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods), according to the release.”
State Sen. Jason Barickman appointed to conservation task force
The Times, Shaw Media
Shaw Local News Network
12/08/2021
“State Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, soon will be serving on a task force organized to help protect the state’s natural resources, an effort that got a boost from high school students in the 53rd Senate District.”
“Barickman was appointed to the task force Nov. 23 by Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods).”
IDNR Announces Grants Supporting Natural Areas Stewardship
River Bender
Staff
12/10/2021
‘“I’m excited to see this program moving forward and providing grants to help protect our natural areas so that people can continue to enjoy them for generations to come,” said State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington), the sponsor of legislation that funded the program. “Our nature preserves and parks provide amazing opportunities for healthy recreation and education.”’
COVID-19
Chicago Sun-Times
Rachel Hinton
12/06/2021
‘State Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie of Hawthorn Woods said in a brief statement he opposes “taking health care away from Illinoisans.”’
Historic Bishop Hill wants $500K in COVID relief to promote tourism
Geneseo Republic
Beth Welbers
12/08/2021
“Similar letters of support for the proposal were received by State Rep. Dan Swanson of Woodhull, and State Sen. Win Stoller of Germantown Hills."
North Egypt News
Andy Nghiem
12/10/2021
“State Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) recently blasted the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for waiting until the day before Thanksgiving to issue guidance on visiting long-term care facilities.”
35th District State Senator Opposes Forcing Non-vaccinated to Pay for Healthcare Expenses
WSPY News
Staff
12/10/2021
“Rockford Republican State Senator Dave Syverson says he opposes a proposal that suggests forcing non-vaccinated people to pay their own medical bills if they contract COVID-19.”
Interstate Improvements
Pritzker announces next phase of project to widen and improve I-57 in southern Illinois
WPSD Local News
Leanne Fuller
12/09/2021
“Republican State Sen. Dale Fowler of Harrisburg joined Pritzker in making the announcement.”
Fowler praises bipartisan efforts to make I-57 expansion a reality
Carbondale Reporter
John Suayan
12/10/2021
‘State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) on Dec. 8 hailed the next phase of the Interstate 57 expansion project as part of “a long-standing continuing vision to improve and revitalize Illinois roadways.”’
Gov. Pritzker announces next phase of Interstate 57 expansion
WSIL TV News 3
Kenzie Dillow
12/08/2021
‘“This collaboration and investment between the federal and state government is an example of great work being done to ensure drivers have smooth roads and the safest route on Illinois roadways,” said State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg). “There is no doubt, portions of Interstate 57 remain congested creating serious challenges and posing dangerous risks. By investing in Illinois’ infrastructure, we are investing in jobs and our local economy, which will continue to put southern Illinois on the map for years to come.”’
Pritzker touts infrastructure funding in southern Illinois stops
Capitol News Illinois
JERRY NOWICKI
12/08/2021
“He was accompanied by Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg, and Rep. Dave Severin, R-Benton.”
Interviews/ Op-eds
State Senator Chapin Rose 12-9-21
The News-Gazette
Staff
12/09/2021
“Dave Gentry and CW Greer talk to State Senator Chapin Rose about the Omicron variant, vaccination mandates, and more.”
Public Safety
After poor audit findings, state lawmakers look to reprioritize Illinois State Police focus
The Center Square, Washington Examiner
Greg Bishop
12/10/2021
“State Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, was critical of the backlogged applications for Firearm Owner’s Identification Cards, which another audit found was pervasive with ISP’s management. Some people waited a year or more to get their FOID cards so they could exercise their Second Amendment Rights.”
Pritzker signs anti-violence legislation
The Center Square
Kevin Bessler
12/10/2021
“State Sen. Neil Anderson, R-Andalusia, a firefighter and medic, said the measures include criminal justice changes that would keep violent offenders off the streets, offenders he keeps dealing with repeatedly.”
Reimagine Public Safety Act to drive violence intervention funds to state’s most dangerous areas
Capitol News Illinois
JERRY NOWICKI
12/10/2021
“The GOP, led by Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, also pushed for measures eliminating good time sentence reductions for someone who brought a weapon to a penal institution or attacked a law officer.”
Pritzker signs $250M public safety expansion bill to address gun violence as public health crisis
The Daily Line
Caroline Kubzansky
12/12/2021
‘Durkin’s Senate colleague, Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) filed a set of proposals geared toward law enforcement earlier this fall. The package includes a measure called the “Fund the Police Act.”’
Illinois State Police audit shows $2.3 million went missing
Illinois Policy Institute
Dylan Sharkey
12/10/2021
“State Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, highlighted the widespread delays for Firearm Owner’s Identification cards. He said 87% of FOID applicants experienced delays, some of up to a year.”
Redistricting
Wilcox: 'Pritzker and his allies have no interest in doing what is best for the people of Illinois'
Lake County Gazette
Glenn Minnis
12/08/2021
“State Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) is no fan of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s decision to sign off on Democratic lawmakers' map redistricting plan.”
“Joining the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) as plaintiffs are Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge), with each insisting the maps approved by Pritzker serve to underrepresent minority groups by reducing the number of districts where Latinos make up a majority of the voting-age population.”
Wilcox criticizes Pritzker for signing partisan Illinois redistricting maps for 'power and control'
McHenry Times
Glenn Minnis
12/10/2021
“Republican state Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) is blasting Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s recent decision to sign off on what he’s sees as heavily gerrymandered Illinois redistricting maps.”
“Joining the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) as plaintiffs are Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, with each insisting the maps inked by Pritzker serve to underrepresent minority groups by reducing the number of districts where Latinos make up a majority of the voting age population.”
Judges ponder intent, impact of state legislative maps on minorities in high-stakes hearing
The Daily Line
Caroline Kubzansky
12/07/2021
“The three plaintiffs are the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund, legislative minority leaders Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) and Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorne Woods) and the East Saint Louis and Illinois State NAACP.”
Redistricting Lawsuit Gets Final Showdown in Federal Court
The Illinoize
Rebecca Holland
12/08/2021
‘In a statement, Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington), the top Republican on the Senate Redistricting Committee, contended Pritzker either “didn’t really review the politician-drawn maps, or he agreed to protect politicians at the expense of Latino and African American voters in Illinois.”’
Youth Advisory Council
Senator Plummer Gives Students The Chance To Get Involved With State Government
Effingham Radio
Staff
12/08/2021
“Dozens of students from the eight counties in the 54th District had the opportunity Monday to immerse themselves in state government and the process of passing new laws. The event was part of State Senator Jason Plummer’s (R-Edwardsville) Youth Advisory Council program.”
Sen. Fowler hosts students for annual Student Advisory Council
KFVS 12
Lucas Sellem
12/10/2021
“State Senator Dale Fowler hosted nearly 60 students from 15 high schools Thursday, Dec. 9 on the campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale as a part of his annual Student Advisory Council.”
MISC.
City of Carrollton Applying for Downtowns & Main Streets Grant
WLDS/WEAI News Radio
Benjamin Cox
12/07/2021
“The City of Carrollton now appears to be looking at applying for the same grant program. The Greene Prairie Press reports that the Carrollton City Council recently spoke with Benton & Associates Engineer Jamie Headen, State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer, and State Senator Steve McClure about the application process.”
Tracy offers holiday safety tips, urges parents to read 2021 Safe Shopping Guide
West Central Reporter
Glenn Minnis
12/09/2021
“State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) is reminding residents of all the steps they need to be taking to assure a safe holiday season.”
Curran remembers Illinoisans who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor
West Cook News, Will County Gazette
Zachary Richter
12/11/2021
“Sen. John Curran remembers the lost lives at the Pearl Harbor attack as this year marks the 80th anniversary of that dreadful day in the history of America.”
'We honor and remember': Curran recalls Illinoisans killed in attack on Pearl Harbor
South Cook News
Karen Kidd
12/12/2021
“Illinois State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) earlier this week recalled the unprovoked Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 and what the Democrat then president had to say about the date.”
Walker's Bluff breaks ground on Casino Resort
WSIL TV News 3
News 3
12/08/2021
‘“I am proud to see this bi-partisan initiative come to life,” said State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg). “This year, I filed legislation that has since been signed into law by the Governor, to guarantee this multi-million dollar project be built by the laborers of southern Illinois. Today’s ground breaking ceremony is a sign for hundreds of new jobs to come and will put a much-needed investment back into our local economy.”’
'Troubling' power struggle at tollway leaves some senators contemplating legislative fix
Daily Herald
Marni Pyke
12/07/2021
‘Republican Sen. Don DeWitte of St. Charles said the board's resolution empowering Evans "is contrary to language contained in the tollway act and perhaps this process should have come back to the legislature for permission and authority to do what you have done."’
Illinois task force looking at changing ‘qualified immunity’ stalls on recommendations
The Center Square, Washington Examiner
Greg Bishop
12/09/2021
“State Sen. John Curran, R-Lemont, opposed the move.”
Walker's Bluff casino resort breaks ground; 1,400 jobs tied to $147.2 million project
The Southern Illinoisan
Marilyn Halstead
12/08/2021
“The celebration featured speakers, State Sen. Dale Fowler, Gov. Pritzker, Jerry Womick of Labor’s Local 773, Comptroller Susanna Mendoza, Cynde Bunch and Dan Kehl, who all spent time thanking others and expressing thankfulness for the jobs the project brings to Southern Illinois.”
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