Clean energy and lower utility costs. So why is Senate Bill 76 stalled?
Illinois families continue to struggle with rising costs tied to inflation, high property taxes, and other budgetary pressures. It is said that through inflation alone, the average Illinois family is spending approximately $300 more each month on the items needed to stay fed, healthy, comfortable, and clothed. Energy costs are also rising, but luckily, lawmakers […]
Senator Chesney Launches Summer Reading Program
State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) is encouraging local children in the 45th District who will enter grades 1-6 in the fall to complete his summer reading challenge. Participants are asked to read eight books during their summer break from school and return their reading logs to the Senator’s office by August 4, 2023. Those who […]
Senator Chesney votes against bills that strip state statutes of gender-specific terms; replaces them with gender-neutral references
While legislation that would improve public safety, ensure adequate funding for vulnerable populations, and improve ethics for elected officials continues to be blocked from consideration by the majority party, on Thursday State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) spoke out on the Senate floor against two Democratic bills that seek to strip state statutes of gender-identifying language […]
Chesney Opposes Measure that Threatens Funding for Local Libraries
On May 3, the Illinois Senate passed legislation that would strip local libraries of their ability to receive state funding unless they adopt the American Library Association’s Library “Bill of Rights”, which comes from a little-known national board not beholden to the voters of the 45th Senate District. State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) voted against […]
Senator Chesney Applauds Jurors for Delivering “Guilty on all Charges” Verdict in Com-Ed Trial
On Tuesday, the “Com-Ed 4” were found guilty on all counts. In response to the verdicts, State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) issued the following statement: “Justice was delivered today as key players in Illinois’ Com-Ed scandal were finally held accountable for crimes that have eroded the public’s trust in the utility giant and in […]
Chicago’s problems are everyone’s problems. So what are we going to do about crime?
In the spring, when temperatures rise in Chicago, so does crime. And when crime spikes in Chicago, we feel it in other parts of the state too, including here in Northwest Illinois. When the Cook County State’s Attorney chooses not to press charges or hold offenders when crimes occur, most are back on the street […]
Senator Chesney Applauds U.S. Court Order to Halt Enforcement of Assault Weapons Ban
On Friday, the U.S. Southern District Court of Illinois issued an order that would prohibit the enforcement of Illinois’ assault weapons ban while the constitutionality of the law is litigated. In response to the order, State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) issued the following statement: “I applaud today’s decision. The order supersedes the U.S. 7th […]
Senator Chesney to host online Back to Business Grant webinar
State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) is partnering with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to help local businesses receive recovery funding through a state grant program implemented to help those greatly impacted by forced business shutdowns and other regulations tied to COVID-19. The webinar will take place online via Zoom on Wednesday, […]
Senator Chesney Responds to Mayor-Elect Johnson’s Speech to Joint Session of General Assembly
This week lawmakers got their first glimpse of Chicago Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson’s political and economic agenda when he spoke to a joint session of the Senate and House. His 40-minute speech was full of new costly initiatives, but silent on how the incoming mayor of Illinois’ largest city would pay for it. “This sounded more […]
Senator Chesney’s Column: An End to the Emergency Proclamations
More than three years after they started, it appears the COVID-19 disaster proclamations are finally coming to an end. It was on March 9, 2020 when Governor Pritzker issued his first disaster declaration in response to COVID-19, allowing him to impose sweeping emergency powers free of legislative input and oversight. At the time, most Illinoisans […]