State Senator Andrew Chesney Named Prairie State Policy Champion by AFP-IL
Americans for Prosperity–Illinois (AFP-IL), a conservative organization that promotes policy solutions rooted in the principles of freedom, limited government, and economic opportunity, has named State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) a Prairie State Policy Champion. The recognition honors lawmakers who consistently advocate for transparent government, fiscal responsibility, and accountability in public service. Chesney received the award […]
Senator Chesney’s Week in Review
Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with law enforcement leaders at the Northwest Illinois Law Enforcement Executives Association (NILEEA) meeting in Freeport. Meetings like these are incredibly important, because hearing directly from the men and women who put their lives on the line every day helps me understand what they need to keep our […]
A 4:00 AM Public Transit Bailout That Robs Peter to Pay Paul
In the early morning hours of October 31, while most Illinoisans were asleep, legislative Democrats pushed through a sweeping overhaul of the state’s public transit system. The 1,000+ page bill was passed at 4:00 AM, without a single committee hearing or opportunity for public input. The timing alone should raise alarms, but the substance of […]
Senator Chesney Reacts to U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen’s Politically-Motivated Vote to Keep Government Shut Down
Following a recent vote by House Rep. Eric Sorensen to attempt to prolong the federal government shutdown, Illinois State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) released the following statement: “Tonight, Eric Sorensen, the Democrat representing Illinois’ 17th Congressional District, spat in the face of northwestern Illinoisans. With his vote to attempt to keep the government shutdown alive, […]
Senator Andrew Chesney’s Week in Review
Democrats Wait Until After Elections to End Government Shutdown Over the weekend, there was movement within the U.S. Senate to end the stalemate and reopen the federal government. It came as no surprise to me that Washington Democrats waited until after last week’s elections to decide the shutdown had gone on long enough. Upon hearing […]
Senator Andrew Chesney Reacts to News that U.S. Senate Has Reached an Agreement on Reopening the Federal Government
Over the weekend, there was movement within the U.S. Senate to end the stalemate and reopen the federal government. Upon learning of the news, Illinois State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) issued the following statement: “I am pleased to know that a handful of Democrats have finally come to their senses and are joining Republicans […]
Senator Chesney’s Week in Review
Democrats Push Through Woke and Expensive Agenda During Final Day of Veto Session The 2026 fall veto session was the most expensive and reckless I have ever seen. While most Illinoisans were asleep during the overnight hours of October 30-31, Springfield Democrats rammed through over $10 billion in new taxes and fees to fund their […]
Senator Chesney’s Week in Review
Working Families Could Face $1.5 Billion Tax Hike in Second Week of Veto Legislators are back in Springfield this week for the final three days of the fall veto session. As I mentioned in my last newsletter, Democrats are pushing a plan that could cost Illinois families up to $1.5 billion more each year to […]
Senator Chesney’s Week in Review
State Lawmakers Return for Veto Session State lawmakers were back in Springfield last week for the first two days of the annual fall Veto Session. During the 2025 spring session, 436 bills passed through both chambers of the General Assembly and were sent to the Governor for final action. Of those measures, four bills were […]
A Prison Sentence Isn’t Enough to End Springfield’s Culture of Corruption
On October 13, former Illinois Speaker of the House Mike Madigan, now also known as Inmate #90368-509, reported to federal prison to begin a 7.5-year sentence after being convicted on 10 counts of public corruption. His incarceration marks a long-overdue moment of justice. However, an initial punishment against the disgraced former Speaker could have and […]