Senator Chesney to Host Annual Pet Adoption Event on December 14
Animal welfare is an issue that is very important to me. I authored Illinois’ original law banning pet store sales of puppy mill animals and co-sponsored the law that prohibits testing facilities from engaging in toxicological experiments involving dogs and cats.
I am pleased to announce that I will once again be partnering with the Friends Forever Humane Society in Freeport this year for a Pet Adoption Event. As I have done in the past, I will help highlight animals that are available for adoption with hopes of connection people with new pets from the shelter.
Those who attend the event will be able to meet dogs and cats that are looking for forever homes and begin the adoption process. During the event half-price cat adoptions will also be available.
Please mark you calendars for this upcoming event on December 14.
Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation Receives IDNR Grant
I am pleased to announce that the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation is among 14 recipients statewide of IL Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) grants to support stewardship programs managed by land trusts on land protected by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC). The grants are part of the Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Grant program, which aims to increase the delivery of much-needed land and water stewardship activities to natural areas permanently protected within the INPC system.
Given the growing stewardship needs of natural areas throughout Illinois, this grant program funds projects that help land trusts expand staff and purchase equipment for these activities. Specifically, the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation is receiving $67,900 to enlists contractual services to perform a geophysical archaeological survey, to engage in restoration efforts through the removal of invasive species, and to purchase a trailer to transport a skid steer for stewardship at Casper Fluff Land and Water Reserve and Rutherford Refuge at Twin Bridges Nature Preserve.
To learn more about the grants, please visit https://dnr.illinois.gov/grants/stewardshipgrants.html.
Cyberattacks Against Governmental Entities on the Rise
Government agencies across the country, including in Illinois, are facing the difficult challenge of dealing with an alarming rise in cyberattacks. Recent data from the Center for Internet Security reveals a drastic increase in malware and ransomware attacks, with a 148 percent surge in malware incidents and a 51 percent rise in ransomware attacks during the first eight months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
Several government offices in Illinois have been targeted by these cyber threats. Earlier this year, the Illinois Secretary of State’s office experienced a data security breach, and both Henry and Tazewell counties dealt with ransomware attacks that disrupted their daily operations. The growing trend of cyberattacks against governmental entities is of great concern for state and local governments as they strive to protect sensitive information and maintain critical services.
To that end, government agencies throughout the state and nation are strengthening their defenses by upgrading equipment, enhancing security awareness training, and collaborating at both state and federal levels to block known cyber threats.
While these efforts are crucial, cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated. They target not only data systems but also technologies like drones used by law enforcement.
All government entities must take the threat of cyberattacks seriously and continue implementing proactive measures to prevent future incidents as protecting digital infrastructures from bad actors must remain a top priority.
Bright Start Program Changes Coming Soon
Families enrolled in the Bright Start College Savings Program (Bright Start 529) will see several changes starting September 30, as TIAA, a major provider of 529 college savings plans, takes over as the program manager.
Bright Start is a 529 college savings plan typically sponsored by a state and can be used to save for higher education. Illinois’ Bright Start Program is already recognized as one of the lowest-cost 529 savings plans in the U.S. With the upcoming changes, families will see total average weighted fees reduced by another 13 percent.
Additionally, a new Bright Start 529 mobile app will be introduced. The app will allow account owners to manage their accounts, check balances, and open new accounts for beneficiaries via their smartphones. It will also streamline processes such as sending funds directly to colleges.
Illinois parents or legal guardians can also claim the Illinois First Steps $50 seed deposit online when opening a Bright Start 529 account for a child born or adopted on or after January 1, 2023, eliminating the need for paper forms.
To accommodate the transition, no withdrawals, contributions, or account changes will be processed between 3 p.m. Wednesday, September 25, and Sunday, September 29. Full account access and transaction capabilities will resume at 7 a.m. on Monday, September 30.
