The Governor revealed that he has lost 80 pounds over the last two years. Part of his success, Pritzker says, has come from using a GLP-1 medication after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Whether someone chooses to use a GLP-1 is a personal medical decision, but the Governor’s announcement also raises a much bigger question about who can access these medications and what they cost.

Pritzker is out of touch. The cost of healthcare and medication is irrelevant to the inherited billionaire. That puts him in a very different position from many families who walk into a pharmacy and discover how much a prescription will cost.

Pritzker himself attempted to acknowledge the problem. While discussing his experience, he said many Illinoisans face the same health challenges, but that expanding coverage of these medications is not feasible.

That is where I believe the conversation should go next.

Rather than focusing solely on one politician’s weight-loss journey, we should talk about what can be done to bring down prescription drug costs and give patients greater access to medications their doctors believe could improve their health.

Significant efforts are already underway at the federal level to address prescription drug costs.

The Trump Administration has pursued a most-favored-nation strategy aimed at bringing the prices Americans pay for certain medications closer to prices paid in other developed countries. The Administration has now reached agreements with 26 pharmaceutical manufacturers that represent nearly 90 percent of the branded drug market.

That effort now extends to Medicaid. Under a new federal payment model, participating pharmaceutical manufacturers will provide state Medicaid programs with rebates on hundreds of expensive brand-name medications, including drugs used to treat diabetes, cancer and asthma, with the goal of bringing final Medicaid prices in line with most-favored-nation pricing.

Efforts also target consumers directly. TrumpRx, launched earlier this year, provides another avenue for patients to access discounted medications outside of traditional insurance coverage. Patients have saved more than $700 million through TrumpRx since its February launch.

These policies will not suddenly make every prescription affordable for every patient, and some of their projected long-term savings still need to be measured as they are implemented. But they show the different approaches available to policymakers trying to address prescription drug costs.

Illinois has choices to make too.

Additionally, if Governor Pritzker believes Illinois cannot afford to expand access to these medications, then we should be willing to have an honest conversation about our spending priorities. The state is still budgeting billions of dollars every year for Illegals and other wasteful programs.

Every dollar in the state budget represents a choice. We should keep examining lower-priority spending throughout state government and ask whether those dollars could be better used to address the everyday costs facing Illinois families who fund our government, including the cost of essential medications.

I’m glad Governor Pritzker is becoming healthier, and I hope his story encourages others to take their own health seriously. But his experience with GLP-1 medications should lead to a conversation that goes beyond his personal weight-loss journey.

If these medications can improve people’s health, the question shouldn’t be whether the Governor can access them. We should be asking what can be done to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible for the people we represent.

The post Senator Chesney’s Column: Pritzker Can Get a GLP-1. What About You? appeared first on Andrew Chesney.

Proud to Earn a 100% Rating from the Technology and Manufacturing Association

I’m proud to have earned a 100 percent rating from the Technology and Manufacturing Association in its 2025-2026 Legislative Scorecard, the highest score in the Illinois Senate.

Manufacturing has long been an important part of Illinois’ economy, especially in communities across northwest Illinois. The men and women who work in this industry make products used across the country while supporting families and helping keep our local economies moving.

TMA’s scorecard is based on votes taken on legislation the organization identified as important to small and midsize manufacturers. For me, earning a 100 percent rating reflects my commitment to making Illinois a place where manufacturers can invest and continue providing good jobs.

I’m grateful to TMA for the recognition, but more importantly, I’ll continue standing with the manufacturers and workers who contribute so much to our communities and our state.

You can view the full TMA Legislative Scorecard and the legislation included in the ratings here.

Young Artists Invited to Celebrate America’s 250th

As our nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, I am excited to give young artists throughout the 45th Senate District an opportunity to show what America means to them.

Beginning September 1, I am hosting an art contest open to 1st through 8th grade students at schools throughout the 45th Senate District. This year’s theme is celebrating the 250th birthday of our nation, and I am looking forward to seeing our students express their creativity and pride in our country.

Students have plenty of room to be creative. Artwork could highlight what makes them proud of their community, what our state symbols or emblems mean to them, or what they believe makes America special, including our freedoms, parks, cities, farmland, voting, and more.

Artwork may be up to 8 by 10 inches and can be created using markers, colored pencils, watercolors, oil pastels, or mixed media. Each submission must include the student’s name, school name, and art teacher’s name. Entries can be emailed to LYates@sgop.ilga.gov or mailed or dropped off at my district office.

The deadline to submit artwork is October 30, with winners selected on November 2. Winning artwork will be framed and displayed in my district office, and the winning piece from each grade level will also be displayed at the Illinois State Capitol during Veto Session, November 17-20. Every student who participates will receive a certificate of recognition.

America’s 250th birthday is an incredible milestone, and I cannot think of a better time to encourage our young people to think about what makes their community and country special. I hope parents, teachers, and schools throughout the 45th District will encourage their students to participate.

For questions or to confirm participation, please contact Lori at LYates@sgop.ilga.gov. I cannot wait to see what our talented young artists create!

Once Again Calling on Governor Pritzker to Opt Illinois into Federal Scholarship Program

With a new federal scholarship program set to begin January 1, 2027, I am once again calling on Governor JB Pritzker to opt Illinois into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program created under President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.”

The program provides a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for qualifying private contributions to scholarship-granting organizations. Those organizations can then provide scholarships to eligible students to help cover educational expenses like tuition, tutoring, books and other needs without adding more spending to Illinois’ already bloated budget.

Thirty states have already elected to participate in the program for 2027. Illinois should be one of them.

There is no reason to deny Illinois families access to an opportunity already being embraced across the country. If Illinois refuses to participate, taxpayers here could still contribute through the federal tax credit but the benefits would go to students in other states instead of helping families here at home.

Let’s stop playing politics and give Illinois families the same opportunity.

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

Manufacturing has long been an important part of Illinois’ economy, especially in communities across northwest Illinois. The men and women who work in this industry make products used across the country while supporting families and helping keep our local economies moving.

TMA’s scorecard is based on votes taken on legislation the organization identified as important to small and midsize manufacturers. For me, earning a 100 percent rating reflects my commitment to making Illinois a place where manufacturers can invest and continue providing good jobs.

I’m grateful to TMA for the recognition, but more importantly, I’ll continue standing with the manufacturers and workers who contribute so much to our communities and our state.

You can view the full TMA Legislative Scorecard and the legislation included in the ratings here.

The post Proud to Earn a 100% Rating from the Technology and Manufacturing Association appeared first on Andrew Chesney.

The program provides a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for qualifying private contributions to scholarship-granting organizations. Those organizations can then provide scholarships to eligible students to help cover educational expenses like tuition, tutoring, books and other needs without adding more spending to Illinois’ already bloated budget.

Thirty states have already elected to participate in the program for 2027. Illinois should be one of them.

There is no reason to deny Illinois families access to an opportunity already being embraced across the country. If Illinois refuses to participate, taxpayers here could still contribute through the federal tax credit but the benefits would go to students in other states instead of helping families here at home.

Let’s stop playing politics and give Illinois families the same opportunity.

The post Once Again Calling on Governor Pritzker to Opt Illinois into Federal Scholarship Program appeared first on Andrew Chesney.

Beginning September 1, I am hosting an art contest open to 1st through 8th grade students at schools throughout the 45th Senate District. This year’s theme is celebrating the 250th birthday of our nation, and I am looking forward to seeing our students express their creativity and pride in our country.

Students have plenty of room to be creative. Artwork could highlight what makes them proud of their community, what our state symbols or emblems mean to them, or what they believe makes America special, including our freedoms, parks, cities, farmland, voting, and more.

Artwork may be up to 8 by 10 inches and can be created using markers, colored pencils, watercolors, oil pastels, or mixed media. Each submission must include the student’s name, school name, and art teacher’s name. Entries can be emailed to LYates@sgop.ilga.gov or mailed or dropped off at my district office.

The deadline to submit artwork is October 30, with winners selected on November 2. Winning artwork will be framed and displayed in my district office, and the winning piece from each grade level will also be displayed at the Illinois State Capitol during Veto Session, November 17-20. Every student who participates will receive a certificate of recognition.

America’s 250th birthday is an incredible milestone, and I cannot think of a better time to encourage our young people to think about what makes their community and country special. I hope parents, teachers, and schools throughout the 45th District will encourage their students to participate.

For questions or to confirm participation, please contact Lori at LYates@sgop.ilga.gov. I cannot wait to see what our talented young artists create!

The post Young Artists Invited to Celebrate America’s 250th appeared first on Andrew Chesney.

I’m proud to have been named a “Friend of Agriculture” by the Illinois Farm Bureau in recognition of my support for Illinois farmers and our agriculture industry.

The Friend of Agriculture Award recognizes lawmakers who have shown a strong commitment to agriculture through their work in the General Assembly. It means a lot to receive this recognition because agriculture is such an important part of Illinois and especially the communities I represent in northwest Illinois.

Supporting our farmers has been a priority of mine throughout my time in the General Assembly. I’ve maintained a strong pro-agriculture voting record and have worked to keep agriculture at the forefront of the decisions we make in Springfield. I also regularly bring together local farmers and agriculture leaders through my Agriculture Advisory Committee, which helps keep me connected to what is happening across the industry.

I appreciate the Illinois Farm Bureau for this honor. Agriculture will always be important to the communities I represent, and I’ll continue working to support the farmers who play such an important role in northwest Illinois and across our state.

Supporting the Scales Mound Trap Team

I recently had the opportunity to award the Scales Mound High School Trap Team a $500 scholarship to help support their program.

I’m more than happy to support this team. These students take their sport seriously, and they have a great group of coaches who put in the time to give them the opportunity to compete and improve.

The scholarship was made available through the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, a group of lawmakers from the Illinois Senate and House that works on issues involving hunting, fishing, conservation and outdoor recreation.

Coach Jeremy Williams shared that the funding will help the team purchase clay targets and ammunition while also helping with travel expenses as students compete in the USA High School Clay Target League during the spring and fall seasons.

It’s great to see a program like this giving students an opportunity to learn the sport and become better competitors along the way. I’m proud to support the Scales Mound Trap Team and look forward to following their success in the season ahead.

Early Voting Begins September 24

Early voting for the November 3 Illinois General Election begins September 24.

Voting is an important part of our representative government, and I want to encourage as many eligible voters as possible to take part in this year’s election. Whether you choose to vote early or wait until Election Day, what matters is making sure your voice is heard.

Early voting gives voters another option to cast their ballot at a time that works for them. Locations and hours can vary depending on where you live, so it’s a good idea to check that information before you head out.

The Illinois State Board of Elections provides information to help voters find early voting locations and prepare for the November 3 election.

I encourage everyone who is eligible to participate, make a plan to vote and take the opportunity to have a say in the future of their communities and our state.

Find early voting and election information through the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

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

Voting is an important part of our representative government, and I want to encourage as many eligible voters as possible to take part in this year’s election. Whether you choose to vote early or wait until Election Day, what matters is making sure your voice is heard.

Early voting gives voters another option to cast their ballot at a time that works for them. Locations and hours can vary depending on where you live, so it’s a good idea to check that information before you head out.

Under state law, early voting in Illinois begins 40 days before Election Day and continues through the day before the election. September 24 also marks the first day vote-by-mail ballots can be sent to voters who have requested them.

The Illinois State Board of Elections provides information to help voters find early voting locations and prepare for the November 3 election.

I encourage everyone who is eligible to participate, make a plan to vote and take the opportunity to have a say in the future of their communities and our state.

Find early voting and election information through the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

The post Early Voting Begins September 24 appeared first on Andrew Chesney.

I’m more than happy to support this team. These students take their sport seriously, and they have a great group of coaches who put in the time to give them the opportunity to compete and improve.

The scholarship was made available through the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, a group of lawmakers from the Illinois Senate and House that works on issues involving hunting, fishing, conservation and outdoor recreation.

Coach Jeremy Williams shared that the funding will help the team purchase clay targets and ammunition while also helping with travel expenses as students compete in the USA High School Clay Target League during the spring and fall seasons.

It’s great to see a program like this giving students an opportunity to learn the sport and become better competitors along the way. I’m proud to support the Scales Mound Trap Team and look forward to following their success in the season ahead.

The post Supporting the Scales Mound Trap Team appeared first on Andrew Chesney.

The Friend of Agriculture Award recognizes lawmakers who have shown a strong commitment to agriculture through their work in the General Assembly. It means a lot to receive this recognition because agriculture is such an important part of Illinois and especially the communities I represent in northwest Illinois.

Supporting our farmers has been a priority of mine throughout my time in the General Assembly. I’ve maintained a strong pro-agriculture voting record and have worked to keep agriculture at the forefront of the decisions we make in Springfield. I also regularly bring together local farmers and agriculture leaders through my Agriculture Advisory Committee, which helps keep me connected to what is happening across the industry.

I appreciate the Illinois Farm Bureau for this honor. Agriculture will always be important to the communities I represent, and I’ll continue working to support the farmers who play such an important role in northwest Illinois and across our state.

The post Proud to Be Named a Friend of Agriculture appeared first on Andrew Chesney.

The General Assembly passes a bill. The governor gets one final look. He can sign it, reject it, cut spending, or send it back with changes.

It is supposed to be a check. Governor Pritzker rarely uses his.

Nearly 3,800 bills have landed on Pritzker’s desk since he became governor in 2019.

In 7 years, he has vetoed 31 of them.

We pride ourselves on checks and balances in this country; this process is not that. When you sign virtually everything that lands on your desk, you’re not providing much of a check at all.

This year, Pritzker continued this streak of nonparticipation. Nearly 400 bills passed the General Assembly and went to him. Only one received a veto.

The veto is not some dusty constitutional leftover. It is one of the last real checks in state government.

It is the governor’s chance, if he cares, to look at what lawmakers just passed and decide whether Illinois families should have to live under it. When one party holds the governor’s office and supermajorities in both chambers, that check matters even more; without it, Springfield becomes a conveyor belt.

Pritzker is not even showing up to watch the belt.

During the spring session, he spent just 22 session days in Springfield. In May, when the budget and the big bills were being decided, he was there for 11 of 19 session days. His calendar showed 14 scheduled in-person meetings with rank-and-file legislators all spring. Fourteen! While families in northwest Illinois were watching property taxes climb, energy bills rise, and a $56 billion budget, the largest in Illinois history, get pushed through, our governor was nowhere to be found.

His only veto action this year was to correct a spending error. One typo would have sent more than $500 billion to the Chicago Westside Branch NAACP. The intended number was $250,000. That mistake got caught. Good. It also shows exactly how sloppy the process has become, and why a governor who actually reads the bills isn’t optional.

Illinois isn’t unique in having one-party control. But governors in other blue states use their veto powers quite differently.

In 2025, Gavin Newsom vetoed 123 of the 917 bills that reached him, about 13 percent. Michelle Lujan Grisham in New Mexico vetoed 16 bills from her session. Roughly 100 bills crossed her desk.

Nobody is asking Pritzker to veto bills just to pad a stat sheet. But are we really supposed to believe that out of nearly 3,800 bills, only 31 were bad enough to stop?

Illinois families are living with some of the highest taxes in the country and a cost of living that keeps going the wrong way. State spending is now nearly $56 billion. Lawmakers keep piling on new spending and new mandates that hit taxpayers, small businesses, and local governments. This is the moment you want a governor who isn’t just in the building but also reading the fine print and willing to say no.

Pritzker has spent a lot of time building a national profile. His face is plastered on every ad you swipe through on Facebook and TikTok. You can’t even escape him at this point on TV.

But his first job is still Illinois. People in Freeport, Galena, Machesney Park, and every other town that does not make the evening news in Chicago deserve a governor who is present and who will use the power of his office when a bill is sloppy, too expensive, not aligned with our state’s ideals, or just wrong.

Illinois has enough problems. We do not need a part-time governor on top of them.

It is time Pritzker put his attention back where it belongs. Here.

The post Senator Chesney’s Column: Does Pritzker Say No? appeared first on Andrew Chesney.