If the Bears Get Relief, Illinois Families Should Too
Illinois families are already stretched thin by rising costs and sky-high property taxes. The last thing they need is to be asked to bankroll another insider deal while they struggle to make ends meet.
From what I have seen so far, this process has not been transparent or fair. It looks far too familiar: well-connected interests get special consideration while everyday taxpayers are left holding the bag. If there is going to be a good deal on the table for the Bears, there must also be real relief for the hardworking people of Illinois. Anything less misses the mark.
The Governor recently highlighted that his team spent hours meeting with the Bears. Meanwhile, families in my district are still waiting for that same urgency as they face crushing property tax bills month after month.
People across Illinois are paying attention, and they are fed up with being treated like an ATM for bad deals and insider politics. If Springfield is willing to talk about property tax breaks tied to a professional sports franchise, then lawmakers must finally deliver meaningful, broad-based property tax relief for families and job creators statewide.
For years, Illinois homeowners have carried one of the heaviest property tax burdens in the country. They do not receive special carve-outs. They simply receive the bill.
Enough is enough.
Unless any final proposal includes clear, enforceable property tax relief for all Illinois taxpayers, I will be urging a no vote.
Meeting with Freeport Resident to Push Convention of States Effort
I met with constituent Judi Snyder from Freeport to discuss the important grassroots work she is doing with the Convention of States movement.
As President Trump has long pointed out, Washington, D.C. has become a swamp of career politicians and unelected bureaucrats more interested in protecting their own power than serving the American people. It is long past time to drain it.
The Convention of States effort is about restoring the balance our Founders intended by taking power away from entrenched federal bureaucrats and returning it to the states and to the people where it belongs.
We have seen firsthand what happens when the federal government grows too large and too comfortable. During COVID, the Biden administration used fear and heavy-handed mandates to pressure Americans into compliance, including forcing mask policies that disrupted daily life and divided communities. We can’t let it happen again.
Americans are ready for accountability and real structural reform. Supporting an Article V Convention is one way to pursue the constitutional fixes needed to rein in federal overreach and put the people back in charge.
Constituents interested in learning more or signing the petition can do so here: https://conventionofstates.com/
Criminal Illegal Alien Removed from 45th District
During his State of the Union address, President Trump asked lawmakers to stand if they agreed with a simple principle: “The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.”
As expected, Republicans stood. Democrats remained seated.
That moment told the American people everything they needed to know. While Republicans stand for law-abiding citizens, Democrats continue to side with policies that put illegal immigrants ahead of hardworking Americans.
Just over a year ago, Democrats claimed there was no crisis at our southern border. Meanwhile, millions of illegal immigrants crossed into our country, straining communities nationwide, including here in the 45th District.
I was recently informed by the Department of Homeland Security that a criminal illegal alien, Agustine Hernandez-Almaraz of Mexico, was removed from our community. Hernandez-Almaraz had been convicted of criminal sexual assault in Winnebago County. Thanks to federal enforcement efforts, this individual will no longer threaten our neighborhoods.
Protecting our citizens is not controversial. It is the most basic responsibility of government.
Republican policies put Americans first, and we will continue fighting to secure our border, enforce our laws, and keep our communities safe.
If you have information regarding criminal illegals in our area, you can submit a tip to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement here: https://www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form
Everyday Taxpayers Should Come Before Bears Stadium Deal
