Illinois Senators Return to Springfield as the Final Weeks of Session Begin
After spending the last two weeks in our home districts addressing the needs of our constituents, Illinois Senators are back in Springfield this week to begin reviewing and debating legislation recently passed by the House.
In addition to considering bills that have advanced from the House, we will also deal with Senate bills that received extensions and we will start seeing some appropriation bills. Just as I did when terrible Senate bills came to the floor for a vote, I will be a vocal NO vote to any and all House bills that seek to raise taxes and fees or promote the Democrats’ woke agenda. This agenda includes their ongoing efforts to prioritize illegal immigrants over Illinois citizens, support of initiatives that allow biological males to compete in women’s sports and change clothes in girls’ locker rooms and efforts to ban all native-themed school mascots.
One of the most significant tasks during these final five weeks of session will be the passage of the state’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which covers the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. In February, Governor Pritzker proposed the largest budget in state history, spending more than $53 billion, despite a projected deficit. Even with full knowledge of these fiscal realities, there has been no talk of financial restraint or reform.
My pledge to the people of the 45th District remains unchanged: I will not support a budget that is unbalanced, raises taxes, or supports the majority party’s misguided priorities. Additionally, I will continue to call for fiscal responsibility that puts hardworking Illinois families first. This includes a top priority of cutting more than $1 billion in spending tied to the Governor’s programs for migrants and illegal immigrants.
Chesney Partners with Alliance of Realtors for Pet Food Drive
As a reminder, this week I am partnering with the Northwest Illinois Alliance of Realtors for a three-week pet food donation drive to replenish supplies for the Friends Forever Humane Society in Freeport. The drive will take place from April 28-May 16.
Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:
Senator Andrew Chesney’s Office
50 West Douglas Street, Suite #1001, Freeport
Northwest Illinois Alliance of Realtors
773 W. Lincoln Blvd, Suite 304-A, Freeport, AND
1161 Tebala Blvd, Rockford
Keller Williams
809 Spring Street, Galena
For additional information about this event please call (815) 395-6777 or email Ashley at Ashley@nwrealtors.og.
Document Shredding Event Scheduled in Machesney Park for May 10
I also would like to remind you that you can safely dispose of old bank records, receipts, and other documents at a free shred event that will be held Saturday, May 10, at the Machesney Park Town Center, which is the former mall. Machesney Park Mayor Steve Johnson will join me as a co-host of this popular event.
Participants are asked to follow traffic signs and remain in their vehicles. Shred truck staff will unload cars. Parking will be available for those who wish to see their documents fed into the shredder. While paper folders, staples and paper clips can be fed into the shredder, large binder clips, plastic file folders, and old floppy discs cannot be. Additionally, no electronics will be accepted for recycling or disposal at this event.
Illinois Farmers Back on the Roadways for Planting Season
As spring gets into full swing, Illinois farmers are hitting the fields for the start of planting season. With tractors, planters, and other large equipment on the move, drivers across the state are reminded to slow down, stay alert, and share the road.
Farmers across Illinois are working long hours to prepare and plant their fields, which means increased farm equipment on the roadways. This equipment often travels at much slower speeds and may take up more space than a typical vehicle. In many rural areas, narrow roads and limited visibility can create added risks during this busy time of year.
The American Farm Bureau Federation offers the following tips to help keep the roadways safe for everyone:
- Be alert and cautious. Give large farm equipment and other slow-moving vehicles space.
- Do not pass if you are in a space designated as a “No Passing Zone” or in any area where it is not safe to do so—intersections, bridges and railroad crossings, among others.
- Make sure the tractor isn’t trying to make a left turn before you pass on the left.
- Don’t tailgate.
- Be careful when you do get the chance to pass. Farmers will often move their equipment over when it is safe to do so.
