“The Tollway is transitioning away from plastic transponders and are replacing them with new sticker technology,” said Chesney. “Rather than having my constituents complete this transaction at the DMV or elsewhere where there may be a fee, I am bringing a mobile team into the 45^th District for quick, easy, and free service.”

Officials from the Illinois Tollway will be on hand to help people transfer over to the new sticker technology and ensure people can make the switch without disruption to their IPASS account activity. Along with providing this service, the tollway officials can help people with questions they may have about their IPASS account and with ‘Pay by Plate’ issues. Please note that those who attend should jot down their license plate number to ensure quick service.

IPASS on Demand
Monday, December 9
3:00 – 7:00 PM
Elizabeth Village Hall
200 East Myrtle Street, Elizabeth
Co-Host: Elizabeth Village President Jason Thomasson

Once activated, the sticker tag can be used on the Illinois tollway and on E-Z Pass roadways in other states within 24 hours of activation. There is no deposit required for the sticker and the $10 transponder deposit that was paid when a transponder was purchased will be transferred to the new account when it is activated. Balances on current transponders will also be transferred over to the sticker account.

An additional IPASS event is scheduled for December 16 in Kirkland at Resource One Bank.

“These events provide easy access for my constituents to make the switch,” added Chesney. “I would encourage motorists to attend the event closest to their home.”

For additional information about these free events, please contact Lori at lyates@sgop.ilga.gov.

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“While the State of Illinois is facing a $3 billion deficit for the next fiscal year, Governor Pritzker continues to crisscross the country laying the groundwork for his 2028 Presidential bid,” said Chesney. “He needs to park the jet, focus on the Illinois citizens he represents today, and work collaboratively with us to close that budget hole without heaping another huge tax increase on Illinois families and businesses.”

The budget deficit data released by the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) earlier this month estimated a $3.16 billion shortfall for the next fiscal year. The projected deficit comes just months after Governor Pritzker raised taxes by $1 billion to help fund a record-high budget that spends more than $1 billion on healthcare and other benefits for migrants and illegal immigrants.

Since taking office, Governor Pritzker has expanded state spending by more than 30% and Freedom Caucus members said it is well past time for the Governor to realign his priorities and put Illinois citizens first.

“Regarding illegal immigration, our President-Elect has pledged to fix the border crisis created by the Biden-Harris administration and deport those people who are in this country illegally,” Chesney said. “What did Governor Pritzker do? He immediately doubled and tripled down on his divisive rhetoric and support of progressive policies, which will only worsen the immigration problems we are experiencing in this state.”

Chesney continued, “As ICE follows the directives of our new President, it is quite likely that illegal immigrants will flee to Illinois, where Governor Pritzker has rolled out the red carpet for them. I would expect we will see an entirely new wave of immigrants flocking to Illinois as they try to hide from immigration authorities.”

Chesney concluded his remarks by calling on the legislature to repeal the TRUST Act so that federal immigration authorities can work with law enforcement offers across the state and roll back other progressive policies that have resulted in bloated budgets, a huge spike in crime, and a continuation of the exodus of Illinois citizens and businesses that believe their future would be brighter in other states.

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Veto Session Concludes: Senate Republicans Renew Call for No New Tax Hikes  The second and final week of the General Assembly’s Veto Session wrapped up on Thursday with few legislative items passing through either chamber. While the Veto Session has ended, the 103rd General Assembly is expected to reconvene in early January for a “lame duck” session before the 104th General Assembly is sworn in on Wednesday, January 8. Illinois faces a projected budget deficit of more than $3 billion in the next fiscal year. Republican legislators argue that this shortfall is due in part to a significant increase in state spending fueled by temporary federal funds. Spending growth has been further fueled by the Governor’s initiatives, including programs for noncitizens, such as free healthcare, which cost Illinois taxpayers over $1 billion annually. To support these programs, the Governor recently enacted $1 billion in tax increases. I am urging the Governor to balance the upcoming budget without raising taxes. Struggling Illinoisans cannot afford to cover the cost of Governor Pritzker’s self-made budget crisis.   Chesney to Host Four IPASS on Demand Events in December Next week I am hosting two IPASS on Demand Events, with an additional two planned for mid-December. Please mark your calendars for an event near you, and don’t forget to bring your plastic transponder(s) with you and jot down your license plate number(s):

• Monday, December 2 in Freeport: 3:00 PM-7:00 PM, Highland Community College Conference Center, 2998 West Pearl City Road, Freeport
• Tuesday, December 3 in Machesney Park: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Machesney Park Village Hall, 300 Roosevelt Road, Machesney Park
• Monday, December 9 in Elizabeth: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Elizabeth Village Hall, 200 East Myrtle Street, Elizabeth
• Monday, December 16 in Kirkland: 3:00 PM- 7:00 PM, Resource one Bank, 414 Main Street, Kirkland

  I will add additional dates in 2024 since these events are so popular. For additional information about the above events, please contact my legislative office at (815) 232-0774 or email Lori at lyates@sgop.ilga.gov.   Pet Adoption Fair Scheduled for December 14 in Freeport I also have a Pet Adoption Fair scheduled for Saturday, December 14 at the Friends Forever Humane Society in Freeport. I will be partnering with the Friends Forever Humane Society in Freeport for this popular annual event. As has been done in the past, I will help highlight animals that are available for adoption with hopes of connecting 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. The Friends Forever Humane Society is located at 966 A. Rudy Road in Freeport, and the adoption fair will be held from Noon until 2:30 PM. Those with questions about this event are encouraged to call my district office at (815) 232-0774.   How Much Will Thanksgiving Dinner Cost in Illinois This Year? Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones and enjoy a festive meal, but hosting the traditional feast comes with costs that have risen significantly in recent years. While there’s good news about turkey prices, the overall expense of Thanksgiving dinner remains higher than before the pandemic. In Illinois, the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people is $62.84, placing the state in the mid-range of affordability nationwide, according to GOBankingRates. Turkey, often the centerpiece of the meal, is one area where shoppers might find some relief. Thanks to increased production and fewer avian flu cases, the average price of a 16-pound turkey has dropped to $25.67 this year, down from $27.47 last year. However, other Thanksgiving staples like stuffing, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie mix remain higher than they were before the pandemic. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, overall food prices have risen 25% since 2019, with Thanksgiving food items up 19%. For families looking to save, many retailers often offer special deals, such as budget-friendly meal packages and discounts on holiday essentials. Shoppers are also encouraged to compare store-brand options with name brands to find additional savings. However, experts caution to be mindful of “shrinkflation,” a trend where package sizes are reduced while prices remain the same, which has been noted in items like frozen peas and green beans.   Staying Safe This Thanksgiving As Illinois residents prepare for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, whether they are cooking at home or traveling to visit loved ones, it is important to prioritize safety. Both the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the American Red Cross have shared valuable tips to ensure your holiday is safe and enjoyable. Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking fires in the U.S., according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). To avoid accidents, stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, or broiling food, and keep flammable items like towels and paper away from heat sources. Be prepared for emergencies by keeping a metal lid or baking sheet nearby to smother grease fires. With over 132 million people expected to travel for Thanksgiving this year, road safety is equally important. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition, pack an emergency kit with essentials, and check the weather forecast before leaving. Avoid distractions, take breaks on long trips, and rotate drivers when necessary. If winter weather causes delays or you get stuck, stay with your vehicle, keep the exhaust pipe clear, and use a brightly colored cloth to signal for help. A little preparation can go a long way in ensuring a safe and joyful holiday season. All the best to you and yours!    

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Governor takes action on remaining bills; all but six become law All legislation that passed the General Assembly during the 2023 spring session has now been acted upon by the Governor. With more than 550 bills being approved by both legislative chambers, all were signed into law with the exception of six, which were either vetoed or received amendatory (partial) vetoes. For the bills that received total vetoes, the Legislature will now have an opportunity to override those vetoes with a 3/5 majority of votes to enact the law. If a vetoed bill is not called for a vote, the veto stands, and the bill dies. For the bills that received amendatory vetoes, the Legislature can either vote to approve the Governor’s amendments to the bill with a simple majority vote, or lawmakers can override the amendatory veto with a 3/5 majority vote to approve the original bill. If the bill is not called for either vote, the bill dies. The General Assembly reconvenes for the annual fall veto session beginning in late October, which is a period designated to take up any vetoes that have been issued. To learn more about the bills that passed the General Assembly, check out the Senate Republican “At A Glance” document, which summarizes all approved legislation from the spring session. Chesney hosts successful outreach events Over the last few weeks, I hosted/co-hosted some very successful community outreach events. Earlier in the month I partnered with the Illinois Treasurer’s ICASH Team for what I’m told was the most successful “Unclaimed Property Day” event they’ve ever had. Well over 100 people attended, and more than half were successful in finding cash owed to them that was sitting in the Treasurer’s Office unclaimed property account. Thank you to everyone who came out, and a special thank you to the Talcott Free Public Library and the ICASH officials for keeping the library open and working with event participants for two extra hours to ensure attendees could be served. Additionally, my staff and I just completed a Traveling Office Hours Tour that included events in eight different communities across the 45^th District. The tour included stops in South Beloit, Machesney Park, Genoa, Davis Junction, Oregon, Byron, Roscoe, and Rockton. At these events, my dedicated staff helped constituents with issues involving state agencies and departments, and I was able to talk with them about legislative issues and answer their questions. We had a great turnout at all eight events. Lastly, I want to thank everyone who came out for the free document shredding event I co-hosted over the weekend with Genoa Mayor Jonathon Brust at City Hall. We had a steady stream of cars flow through the event, as people safely disposed of old bank statements, receipts, and other sensitive documents. Upcoming events in the 45^th District As we head into fall, my staff and I are putting the finishing touches on additional community outreach events. Please mark your calendars now for the following:

• Wednesday, September 6, Tele-Town Hall Meeting: Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana will join me for a 6:30-7:30 PM live tele town hall event. Residents can ask questions about issues of importance, including the elimination of cash bail and other new laws, from the comfort of their own homes.
• Saturday, September 9, Prescription Drug Drop-Off Event: Stephenson County Sheriff Steve Stovall and I will co-host a drive-through prescription drug drop-off event from 9:00-11:00 AM at Alliance Commodities, Pearl City Elevator, INC. 4306 W. Galena Road in Lena. Residents can safely dispose of unused or expired medications, keeping them out of the hands of potential abusers and out of the water supply.

Additional events are added to the calendar frequently, so please visit my website (SenatorChesney.com) to remain up-to-date on upcoming events near you. Tax credit information on the purchase of back-to-school supplies By now most kids are back in school, and I want to remind taxpayers that a tax credit may be available to off-set some of those new school year costs. Specifically, taxpayers may be able to claim school expenses for their K-12 students on their 2023 Illinois individual income tax returns. Tax credits are available for both student and teacher expenses. Click here to learn more. School bus safety reminder With the start of school comes an increase in the number of school buses on the roadways. It’s important that motorists take extreme caution when approaching a stopped school bus. When coming to a stopped school bus, vehicles should leave a distance of at least 20 feet to allow students to safely cross the roadway. Violations for passing a school bus include a minimum fine of $300 and a three-month driver’s license suspension for the first offense and a minimum fine of $1,000 and a one-year driver’s license suspension for any subsequent offense. According to the Illinois State Police, most of the children who are killed in bus-related crashes are pedestrians, ages five to seven years old, who are getting on or off the bus. However, a new law I was proud to support aims to reduce the number of incidents. Signed into law earlier this summer, Senate Bill 2340 requires that on a route where a child must cross the road, the school bus must be equipped with an extended stop arm with flashing red lights that partially obstruct the roadway. This new law is designed to alert motorists of the stopped school bus so that students can safely make their way on and off the bus. Learn more about the rules of the road and school bus safety at the Illinois State Board of Education’s website. Senator Chesney, out and about in the community This time of year, when the Legislature is not in session, I enjoy traveling around the 45^th District and visiting with residents and public officials. These meetings and conversations are extremely helpful, and allow me to gain a full understanding of the challenges families and local leaders face, and how I may assist them in my role as a State Senator. In the photos above (L-R) I’m shown at the Winnebago Township picnic, at a visit to Hononegah Community High School, and at a meeting with Oregon community leaders during a traveling office hours event at Oregon City Hall. These are just a few of the many visits I have made over the last several weeks.

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The plan laid out by the Governor increases permanent state spending by $3 billion, despite expert warnings of decreased revenue likely to be brought on by a recession. In the last few years, Illinois has benefited from a massive influx of federal dollars and increased revenues due to COVID-19 relief programs and inflation. But Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) says those days are about to end, and the Governor is failing to account for these realities.

Despite these very real threats, the Governor’s outlined budget plan further expands state government—an increase of more than $10 billion since he took office. While the Governor’s professed goals of funding priorities like early childhood programs and public safety initiatives are laudable, Senator Chesney reiterates the importance of focusing on creating a sustainable budget that will not spend Illinois residents into a major tax increase. Senator Chesney says a larger conversation is needed about structural reforms that will allow the state to protect future investments and prioritize spending within its means.

Following the Governor’s speech, Senator Chesney issued the following statement:

“The people I represent in Northwest Illinois are looking for substantive, permanent tax relief. But rather than hearing a proposal that would put more money back in Illinois citizens’ pockets, our Governor is channeling taxpayer dollars toward illegal aliens who visit welcome centers across our state. The South Beloit Welcome Center is in my district, and I will oppose any effort to channel taxpayer funds to illegal immigrants.

“We clearly saw a Governor that was speaking like he was on a national stage. These next few years will be about positioning himself as one of the most liberal-minded Democrats this nation has ever seen so he can run for President. He’s not looking toward the future of Illinois as much as he’s looking toward the 2024 South Carolina primary. What he failed to mention is that his greatest achievement so far is the investment his policy decisions have had on U Haul, as Illinoisans continue to move out of Illinois in alarming numbers.

“These are not the kinds of issues people are calling my office about when they suggest areas for state spending. The people who call my office are just wanting an honest state government that provides adequate funding for critical areas like education, economic development, and assistance for the disabled.

“Illinois is a state with so much untapped potential, and we have the ability to put our state back onto a path where the benefits of living here are limitless. That path begins with policies that encourage job growth and unleash the entrepreneurial spirit.”

Senator Chesney has filed an aggressive legislative agenda for 2023 that attempts to reverse and scale back policies he claims have put Illinois on the wrong path. His bills include measures that protect Second Amendment rights, increase support of law enforcement officers, strengthen penalties for those convicted of heinous and violent crimes, and strengthen ethics laws. All would be accomplished without new taxes.

The U.S. Celebrates American Heart Month!
February is American Heart Month, a designated period when the U.S. strives to address the number one killer of Americans – heart disease. This month has been declared by the president for the past 59 years, and this year the focus will be on the importance of CPR. More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside a hospital and 70 percent of those occur at home. Meanwhile, performing CPR can double or triple the chance of survival for a person in cardiac arrest.

This year, the American Heart Association has issued a nationwide challenge for every household to have at least one person know how to perform CPR. A simplified version called Hands-Only CPR has been shown to be as effective in the first few minutes of treatment, and has only two steps. This simplified version stresses that the most important part of CPR is to keep the heart beating through chest compressions at approximately 100 beats per minute.

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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is now telling Illinois taxpayers to go ahead and file their 2022 tax returns. This comes after the federal agency was encouraging Illinoisans to hold off on filing while they could determine whether the special, one-time property tax and/or income tax refund checks sent to individuals by state of Illinois last year were taxable by the federal government.

The refund checks in question were the ones that most Illinoisans received last fall and were part of Gov. Pritzker’s temporary “tax relief” plan. As you may recall, I was opposed to these well-timed payments, as it was seen as an election-year gimmick by the Governor. At a time when he had the opportunity to provide permanent, long-lasting relief, the Governor instead chose to issue one-time payments that arrived in the mail right ahead of his 2022 election.

The income tax rebate checks were sent to those who earned less than $200,000 for individual filers, and less than $400,000 for joint filers. Single filers received $50 and joint filers received $100, and those with dependents received $100 per dependent up to $300. The election-year plan also sent property tax rebates up to $300 to homeowners.

The IRS determined late last week that these payments are not taxable at the federal level and that taxpayers will not need to report these payments on their 2022 tax returns.

IMA Opens Contest for ‘The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois’

On Feb. 2, the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) opened its fourth annual Makers Madness contest. In a search to find and declare “The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois,” residents are allowed to nominate and then vote on their favorite product made by Illinois manufacturers.

Nominations for “The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois” are open until Feb. 19, and residents are not limited in the number of products they can nominate. All nominations must be submitted online, and must include the name of the product, the name of the manufacturer, a link to the product/manufacturer’s website, and the name, email, and a telephone number of the person making the nomination.

Other than the fact that the product must be made in Illinois, there are no limitations on which products can be nominated. Any product from any sector of the manufacturing industry will be accepted; however, only one product from each company will be allowed from the nomination round into the first round of bracket voting. Nomination voting will begin Feb. 21 and people can cast up to five votes per each day nomination voting is open. The winner of the title of “The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois” will be announced March 29.

Last year’s winner of the popular contest was the all-electric R1T truck made by Rivian, which is located in Normal.

Local Revitalization Grant Program Will Open in Spring

This spring brings a new developing program from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IDHA) called the Strong Communities Program (SCP). This program is designed to provide competitive grants to various municipalities, counties and land banks that can be used for either the maintenance or demolition of abandoned residential properties. Through this program, IDHA is hoping to help grow local revitalization efforts within the communities it supports.

While the approval process for these grants has not yet started, now is the best time to start thinking ahead about community applications. In previous years, it was also possible to submit a single application for a combination of counties/municipalities, although only one application can be submitted per unit. Any grant funds may be used for securing, maintaining, demolishing, or rehabilitating abandoned residential properties. Last year’s program awarded amounts with a minimum of $40,000 and a maximum of $250,000.

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On January 25, State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) stood with his Senate Republican colleagues as they announced the filing of Senate Resolution 27, which calls on the Illinois Senate to reject any progressive income tax measure that is introduced in the 103^rd General Assembly.

In 2020, voters from 101 of Illinois’ 102 counties soundly rejected an attempt to do away with Illinois’ flat income tax system through a constitutional amendment that favored a progressive tax system. In that election, the “Fair Tax” Amendment fell more than 360,000 votes short of a simple majority that was needed of all votes cast in that election, and more than 760,000 votes short of a three-fifths majority that was needed of those voting on the question.

Senator Chesney said he will fight vehemently against any attempt to enact a progressive income tax. Senate Resolution 27 was read into the official Senate record on January 25, and now awaits assignment to a Senate committee.

Nominations for Senior Hall of Fame

The Illinois Department on Aging is accepting nominations for 2023 inductees to the Senior Illinoisan Hall of Fame. This honor is open to adults ages 65 or older who excel in the categories of community service, education, performance and/or graphic arts, and the labor force. Each year, four people are added who have contributed greatly to these fields. The nominations are open until June 1, and anyone can nominate a candidate. Additional information on the process, the online nomination form, and a printable version of the nomination form is available on IDoA’s website.

The process to nominate someone for the Senior Illinoisan Hall of Fame is relatively easy. Nominators must submit an application with answers to five questions that detail the nominee’s contributions and provide a photo of the nominee. The pool of nominations will then be reduced to a list of 44 people. From this list, a panel of judges will select the final four to be added to the Hall of Fame. Generally, one person is chosen to represent each individual field, although occasionally more than four people are selected.

Governor Making Changes in State Agencies

On January 23, the Governor officially announced several selections for his administration’s agency directors. Five appointments will be new to their position. As of now, the only appointment confirmed by the Senate is Natalie Finnie, the new Director of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Finnie will be moving to this position from her previous role as Deputy Director, having served in that position since August 2021. Before she joined the DNR, Finnie was a State Representative.

The four positions not yet approved by the Senate are Raven DeVaughn as Director of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS), Kristin Richards as the Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Ray Marchiori as the Temporary Director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), and Brandon Ragle as the Temporary Secretary of the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT). DeVaughn is moving to this position from a current role of Assistant Director at the same agency. Richards is moving to her new position from her role as another agency’s Director. Meanwhile, both Marchiori and Ragle are advancing within the same department, much like Finnie and DeVaughn.

The Governor was recently asked by reporters about whether he would reappoint Marc Smith, the embattled head of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). In response, Pritzker said he planned to reappoint him, despite controversies surrounding the department, including the fact that courts have held Director Smith in contempt eight times for issues with placement of children.

Planned SNAP Reduction Scheduled for March

Under direction from the federal government, the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) will be returning SNAP benefits to pre-pandemic levels. Since April 2020, an emergency SNAP allotment was added to the regular monthly benefits to address the worsening food insecurity challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. DHS recently announced that the extra benefits will be ending in February and will no longer be applied officially by March 1.

The estimates right now are that this return will result in a decrease of the monthly benefits of between $95 to $255 per household. In an effort to try to reduce strain on households, DHS has put together a resource page for constituents who may need assistance in managing this reduction in funds. Furthermore, DHS has said the Department will be working closely with various communities and organizations to develop additional support and resources for families struggling with this reduction.

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Several lawsuits have already been filed in response to Illinois’ new firearms ban, which passed the General Assembly during “lame-duck” session earlier this month and was quickly signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker.

One of the lawsuits, filed by the Illinois State Rifle Association in federal court, argues that the new Illinois law violates the Second and 14^th Amendments of the United State Constitution. Likewise, another lawsuit was filed in Illinois with the 2^nd Judicial District Court in Crawford County, which also argues similar violations of the U.S. Constitution.

A third lawsuit was filed with the 4^th Judicial Circuit Court in Effingham County, and it argues the General Assembly violated aspects of the Illinois Constitution relating to public participation in the legislative process during the swift passage of the bill. Furthermore, the lawsuit asks for a Temporary Restraining Order on the law, which if granted, would place a hold on the law from taking effect until the outcome of the case.

State Senator Andrew Chesney voted against the so-called “assault weapons” ban legislation and remains hopeful the courts will overrule this infringement of Second Amendment rights.

Illinois Top State Soybean Producer in 2022

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) announced January 17 that Illinois produced the most soybeans in the nation once again in 2022. This is despite the slow start to the planting season due to cool and wet weather.

The 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois together raised 677.25 million bushels in total, an average yield of 63 bushels per acre. Soybean production has been down in Illinois as well as across the nation. Overall, the yields this year show soybean production as decreased from last year, but still the largest in the nation.

Illinois has maintained its place as the top state soybean producer since 2016 and has been within the top two spots on the list since 2000.

Tax Season Begins on Monday

On Jan. 23, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) and the federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will both begin accepting 2022 state and federal income tax returns. Last year, IDOR received almost 6.2 million returns, approximately 90 percent of which were filed electronically.

A number of different websites and places offer resources for free filing programs, but IDOR encourages taxpayers to use MyTax Illinois, a free online account management program, to electronically file their taxes. The site has recently been updated to try to make it easier on users to file and check the status of their returns.

The site also helps individuals manage payments, respond to any department inquiries, and to check the status of returns. As always, the department encourages people to set up direct deposit to speed up delivery of the returns.

The deadline for tax filing is April 18. Additional resources and information can be found on IDOR’s website.

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