Senator Chesney Recognizes Local WWII Vet on His 100th Birthday
As a State Senator, I get to meet a lot of very interesting people, and last week I got to spend some time with Freeport resident Alfred “Gene” Burton as I presented him with an official Senate certificate of recognition for his 100th Birthday.
It was an honor to talk with this patriot about his service to his country. We talked about how War II was the biggest and deadliest war in history. WWII involved more than 30 countries and was sparked by the 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland. The war dragged on for six years until the Allies defeated the Axis powers of Nazi Germany, Japan and Italy in 1945.
There is so much we can learn from those from “the greatest generation,” and it was wonderful to spend time with a true war hero.
Community Connections Meeting Set for Wednesday, Aug. 28 in Freeport
My next Community Connections meeting is coming up on August 28 in Freeport. Joining me as a co-host of the event is Stephenson County Board Chairman Scott Helms.
During this hour-and-a-half meeting I will provide brief remarks, but the bulk of the time will be reserved for a question and answer session with those who attend. I look forward to answering questions about topics of interest to you and your family.
Freeport Community Connections Meeting
Wednesday, August 28
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Stephenson County Farm Bureau Building
210 W. Spring Street, Freeport
Co-Hosted by Stephenson County Board Chairman Scott Helms
The Community Connections Tour will conclude two weeks later with events in Elizabeth (Sept. 11) and Oregon (Sept. 12).
All events are scheduled for 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM. For additional information about these meetings, please visit the “Events” page on my website. You can also contact my office at (815) 232-0774 or email Lori at lyates@sgop.ilga.gov.
Small Businesses Losing Money as Revised Unemployment Numbers Underscore Challenging Economy for Illinois Families
As new unemployment numbers are revealed by the US Department of Labor, Illinois is now tied for having the second-highest unemployment in the nation. The unemployment rate in Illinois jumped to 5.2 percent in July, translating to more than 341,000 Illinoisans who are looking for work.
Job creators in Illinois are also feeling the pressure. A recent survey by Alignable found that 58 percent of small businesses are making less money than they did last year—a 7% increase from the previous month.
Across the country, 73 percent of small business owners say they’re earning less than they did last year. Over 80 % of these small businesses in industries like manufacturing, beauty salons, and real estate are seeing big drops in revenue, making it a challenging time for job creators everywhere.
This economic landscape paints a challenging picture for Illinois families. As the job market falters and new taxes take their toll, many families are finding it harder to make ends meet. The latest data is a stark reminder that the economy remains fragile, leaving many in Illinois uncertain about what the future holds.
I voted against the Governor’s recent tax hikes, warning they would hamper job growth and raise costs for Illinois residents. I believe these tax hikes are driving more people and job creators to leave the state.
New Law to Reduce DMV Visits with 4-and 8-Year License Options
Illinois drivers will soon have the option to choose between a four-year or eight-year driver’s license, thanks to new legislation recently signed into law. I was a Chief Co-Sponsor of this bill.
Senate Bill 275 requires the Secretary of State to establish rules for this process by January 1, 2027, with the new options available to motorists by July 1 of that year.
This change aims to reduce the frequency of visits to the DMV, offering convenience to drivers and aligning Illinois with other states that already offer longer license validity periods. The cost for an eight-year license will be $60, double the cost of a four-year license.
This new law is expected to ease the challenges motorists face when scheduling appointments at driver services facilities, providing greater flexibility and reducing wait times.
New Law Signed to Increase Transparency in Local Government
A new measure for which I also served as a Chief Co-Sponsor was recently signed into law to enhance transparency and public access to information regarding proposed tax levy changes by local governments.
Senate Bill 3567 amends Illinois’ Truth in Taxation law to require taxing bodies to prominently display notices on or near the top of their websites for a minimum of 30 days. Under the existing Truth in Taxation law, taxing bodies are required to publicly disclose their intention to raise their tax levy by more than 5 %. The new law will require online visibility in addition to the current mandate that these notices be published in local newspapers.
The dual approach is designed to maximize the reach and effectiveness of public disclosures, providing residents with multiple opportunities to stay informed about potential increases in their property taxes.
