Our fairs are one of the clearest pictures of what Northwest Illinois stands for. The Ferris wheel lights up. Kids run from the games to the rides. The air is thick with the smell of fried food and lemonade shake-ups. For a few days, the regular grind slows down, and people from every corner of the county show up in the same place.

And that’s the whole point. County fairs still bring us together when a lot of modern life pulls us apart. You see neighbors you haven’t talked to in months. You run into the folks who coach your kids’ baseball team or sit near you at church. People stand in the same lines and cheer for the same kids in the show ring. Face to face and no screens in the way.

And right at the center of it is the agricultural community that keeps this region strong. Walk the livestock barns and you see the results of real work. Early mornings. Late nights. Animals raised with care and skill. The crop exhibits and horticulture displays show the same dedication. They are proof of the steady effort that happens every day on farms across our district. When we fill the grandstands and walk those barns, we are telling the next generation that this work still matters and that we respect the people who do it.

County fairs have been part of the American story for generations. Communities have always gathered under the lights to compete and display what they built with their own hands. That tradition is still alive here. This year our nation marks 250 years of independence. America hosted the biggest soccer tournament in the world and put on the Great American County Fair. The same spirit belongs at the local level too. America’s strength was never only in the big cities or on national stages. It was built in places like ours by people who work hard through the week but still know how to get out of the house and enjoy a night with their friends and family.

So, make the time this summer. Bring the kids. Bring a neighbor. Eat the food that only tastes right at the fair. Ride the rides. Walk the barns and tip your hat to the young people and families who put real effort into those exhibits. Look around at the faces of the people who make this district what it is.

Northwest Illinois does community the right way, and our county fairs prove it each and every summer. Get out there and be part of it.

The post Senator Chesney’s Column: Get Out to Your County Fair appeared first on Andrew Chesney.

Sexual Harassment Investigation into Former Democrat Lawmaker Exposes a Broken System

I want to thank my republican colleagues in the House for the pressure they applied on the democrat majority to release the Legislative Inspector General’s report on former Democrat State Representative Harry Benton, who was investigated for sexual harassment. Transparency is crucial, and Illinoisans deserve to know what happened. The release of this report should serve as the beginning of a broader conversation about restoring public confidence in state government.

For years, I, along with other republicans have tried to strengthen Illinois’ ethics laws. We’ve pushed to give the Inspector General more independence, require that misconduct findings actually see the light of day, protect people who come forward, and close the loopholes that let investigations stall out or stay hidden. The Democratic supermajority has blocked those efforts over and over, settling for limited reforms that leave the same weaknesses in place.

This isn’t about one report or one former Democrat lawmaker. It’s about a culture in Springfield that too often protects the powerful and corrupt. Making sure to slow down accountability when it’s inconvenient. Illinoisans deserve better than that. They deserve confidence that complaints will be taken seriously and handled without unnecessary delay.

I’m not interested in more half-measures. Real reform means changing how these investigations work and restoring some trust in state government. It’s time to drain the swamp in Springfield.

You can read my recent column on the culture of corruption in Illinois and the legislation I’ve pushed to fix it here. Read the full Inspector General report on the sexual harassment investigation involving former Democrat State Representative Harry Benton here.

Democrat House Leader Chris Welch’s Chicago Public Schools Bailout Puts the Rest of Illinois Last

Democratic House Speaker Chris Welch recently pledged to go after more state money for Chicago Public Schools in the fall veto session. Let’s call this what it is: another attempt to put Chicago first while the rest of Illinois picks up the tab.

I support investing in our schools. But that investment has to be fair. No district should get special treatment while students in Freeport, Rockton, Galena, and every other community outside Chicago are told to wait their turn.

Chicago Public Schools already get their own unique breaks that were written into state law, including extra help covering teacher pensions that other districts don’t receive. Now Democrat leadership wants even more. That’s favoritism dressed up as concern for kids.

When lawmakers return to Springfield this fall, I’ll keep fighting for funding that treats every student the same. No more Chicago giveaways. No more backroom deals that drain resources from the rest of the state. Illinois families deserve a system that’s transparent, fiscally responsible, and focused on every corner of this state.

Only Two Weeks Left to Complete My Summer Reading Challenge

I want to remind families that there are less than two weeks left to take part in my annual Summer Reading Program.

If your child is entering 1st through 8th grade, there’s still time to complete the challenge by reading eight books before August 15. Summer is a great opportunity to build strong reading habits, discover new stories, and stay engaged before heading back to school.

Students who finish the challenge can complete a short online form and will receive an official certificate of recognition from the Illinois Senate celebrating their accomplishment.

If you haven’t started yet, there’s still time! Visit your local library, pick out some great books, and get reading. For questions, contact Lori at LYates@sgop.ilga.gov.

The post Senator Chesney’s Week in Review appeared first on Andrew Chesney.

For years, I, along with other republicans have tried to strengthen Illinois’ ethics laws. We’ve pushed to give the Inspector General more independence, require that misconduct findings actually see the light of day, protect people who come forward, and close the loopholes that let investigations stall out or stay hidden. The Democratic supermajority has blocked those efforts over and over, settling for limited reforms that leave the same weaknesses in place.

This isn’t about one report or one former Democrat lawmaker. It’s about a culture in Springfield that too often protects the powerful and corrupt. Making sure to slow down accountability when it’s inconvenient. Illinoisans deserve better than that. They deserve confidence that complaints will be taken seriously and handled without unnecessary delay.

I’m not interested in more half-measures. Real reform means changing how these investigations work and restoring some trust in state government. It’s time to drain the swamp in Springfield.

You can read my recent column on the culture of corruption in Illinois and the legislation I’ve pushed to fix it here. Read the full Inspector General report on the sexual harassment investigation involving former Democrat State Representative Harry Benton here.

The post Sexual Harassment Investigation into Former Democrat Lawmaker Exposes a Broken System appeared first on Andrew Chesney.

I support investing in our schools. But that investment has to be fair. No district should get special treatment while students in Freeport, Rockton, Galena, and every other community outside Chicago are told to wait their turn.

Chicago Public Schools already get their own unique breaks that were written into state law, including extra help covering teacher pensions that other districts don’t receive. Now Democrat leadership wants even more. That’s favoritism dressed up as concern for kids.

When lawmakers return to Springfield this fall, I’ll keep fighting for funding that treats every student the same. No more Chicago giveaways. No more backroom deals that drain resources from the rest of the state. Illinois families deserve a system that’s transparent, fiscally responsible, and focused on every corner of this state.

The post Democrat House Leader Chris Welch’s Chicago Public Schools Bailout Puts the Rest of Illinois Last appeared first on Andrew Chesney.

If your child is entering 1st through 8th grade, there’s still time to complete the challenge by reading eight books before August 15. Summer is a great opportunity to build strong reading habits, discover new stories, and stay engaged before heading back to school.

Students who finish the challenge can complete a short online form and will receive an official certificate of recognition from the Illinois Senate celebrating their accomplishment.

If you haven’t started yet, there’s still time! Visit your local library, pick out some great books, and get reading. For questions, contact Lori at LYates@sgop.ilga.gov.

The post Only Two Weeks Left to Complete My Summer Reading Challenge appeared first on Andrew Chesney.

Opposing the Proposed Illinois Tollway Rate Increase

I am firmly opposed to the Illinois Tollway’s proposed rate increase. If approved, it would be the largest tollway rate increase in state history, raising passenger vehicle tolls by 45 cents per toll and commercial vehicle tolls by 30% beginning Jan. 1, 2027. The proposal would also automatically increase toll rates every two years based on inflation starting in 2029.

We all understand the importance of maintaining our roads and infrastructure, but taxpayers shouldn’t be expected to pay more while receiving the same service. Illinois already has one of the highest tax burdens in the nation, and this proposal would place yet another financial burden on working families, commuters, and local businesses that rely on our tollways every day.

Many people can still remember being told tolls would disappear once the roads were paid for. That was not the case. Instead, they’ve become a permanent cost for drivers, and now the state wants to make them even more expensive.

Before the Illinois Tollway tries to move forward with this proposal, I want to make sure your voice is heard. I encourage you to take a few minutes to complete my online survey before noon on Aug. 3. Your feedback will help ensure the concerns of our communities are included in the public record as this proposal moves through the public review process.

Meeting with the Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau

I recently had the opportunity to take part in the Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau Roundtable alongside Senator Dave Syverson, Representative Joe Sosnowski, and Representative John Cabello. It was a productive discussion with local agriculture leaders about the challenges and opportunities facing our communities and our state’s agricultural industry.

We covered a variety of important state and local issues, including the estate tax and its impact on family farms and small businesses. Conversations like these are invaluable because they provide an opportunity to hear directly from the people who are affected by the decisions made in Springfield.

Agriculture remains one of Illinois’ most important economic drivers, and it’s critical that lawmakers work alongside those who know the industry best. I appreciate everyone who took the time to attend and share their perspectives. Your input helps shape my work in the Senate, and I look forward to continuing our partnership as we fight for policies that support agriculture and strengthen our local communities.

Rockton Shred Event Draws Strong Community Turnout

I want to thank everyone who came out to our shred event in Rockton. It was another great turnout, with more than 160 people stopping by to safely dispose of old documents and take an important step toward protecting themselves against identity theft.

Events like this are a great way to provide a valuable service while also giving me the opportunity to meet with constituents and hear what’s on their minds. I always appreciate the chance to have those conversations about the issues that matter most to our communities.

It’s encouraging to see so many residents come out for community events like this, and I’m grateful for everyone who took the time to participate. Your support helps make these events a success, and I look forward to continuing to host opportunities that benefit our communities.

I also want to thank Rockton Mayor John Peterson for his partnership and assistance in making this event possible. I appreciate his support and everyone who helped make the day a success!

The post Senator Chesney’s Week in Review appeared first on Andrew Chesney.

We all understand the importance of maintaining our roads and infrastructure, but taxpayers shouldn’t be expected to pay more while receiving the same service. Illinois already has one of the highest tax burdens in the nation, and this proposal would place yet another financial burden on working families, commuters, and local businesses that rely on our tollways every day.

Many people can still remember being told tolls would disappear once the roads were paid for. That was not the case. Instead, they’ve become a permanent cost for drivers, and now the state wants to make them even more expensive.

Before the Illinois Tollway tries to move forward with this proposal, I want to make sure your voice is heard. I encourage you to take a few minutes to complete my online survey before noon on Aug. 3. Your feedback will help ensure the concerns of our communities are included in the public record as this proposal moves through the public review process.

The post Opposing the Proposed Illinois Tollway Rate Increase appeared first on Andrew Chesney.

Events like this are a great way to provide a valuable service while also giving me the opportunity to meet with constituents and hear what’s on their minds. I always appreciate the chance to have those conversations about the issues that matter most to our communities.

It’s encouraging to see so many residents come out for community events like this, and I’m grateful for everyone who took the time to participate. Your support helps make these events a success, and I look forward to continuing to host opportunities that benefit our communities.

I also want to thank Rockton Mayor John Peterson for his partnership and assistance in making this event possible. I appreciate his support and everyone who helped make the day a success!

The post Rockton Shred Event Draws Strong Community Turnout appeared first on Andrew Chesney.

We covered a variety of important state and local issues, including the estate tax and its impact on family farms and small businesses. Conversations like these are invaluable because they provide an opportunity to hear directly from the people who are affected by the decisions made in Springfield.

Agriculture remains one of Illinois’ most important economic drivers, and it’s critical that lawmakers work alongside those who know the industry best. I appreciate everyone who took the time to attend and share their perspectives. Your input helps shape my work in the Senate, and I look forward to continuing our partnership as we fight for policies that support agriculture and strengthen our local communities.

The post Meeting with the Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau appeared first on Andrew Chesney.

The post Chesney Voices Opposition to Proposed Illinois Tollway Rate Increase appeared first on Andrew Chesney.