Chesney Joins Homeland Security Secretary Noem at Springfield Press Conference
On Wednesday of last week, I stood proudly with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and other like-minded conservatives at a Springfield press conference that highlighted Illinois’ dangerous pro-illegal immigrant policies and the devastating effect those policies have had on Illinois families.
Secretary Noem was joined at the podium by three Angel families, who shared their horrific stories of how their loved ones were lost at the hands of criminals who are in this country illegally. We heard stories of murder, hit-and-run car accidents, and overdose deaths due to illegal drugs flowing into the United States with the help of illegal immigrants. In each case the underlying message was the same: Those individuals might still be here today if their illegal immigrant perpetrators had been identified and deported.
As you know, Governor JB Pritzker has rolled out the red carpet for illegal immigrants in this state, providing free healthcare, housing, and other services. He and his allies have also tied the hands of law enforcement by passing a law that prohibits police officers and Department of Corrections personnel from talking to or coordinating with federal immigration authorities. Time and time again our governor and the Democrats in the General Assembly have protected illegal immigrants— even those who have committed vicious crimes— at the expense of public safety for Illinois families.
Following her press conference, I issued the following media statement:
“Governor Pritzker and his radical Democrat allies have turned Illinois into a gangsters’ paradise with their reckless sanctuary state policies. It is absolute madness to protect violent illegal immigrant criminals while putting our families at risk.
“I’m proud to stand with Homeland Security Secretary Noem and all commonsense Illinoisans against Pritzker’s insanity. Every life lost at the hands of an illegal immigrant is a tragedy that could have been prevented, and the responsibility lies squarely with Governor Pritzker and the radical Democrats in Springfield who chose to ignore federal law enforcement rather than protect our communities.
“Governor Pritzker has shown time and time again that he cares more about protecting criminals and appeasing the left-wing base than he does about the safety of working families. How many more innocent lives must be lost before Pritzker gets the message? How many more victims of violent illegal immigrants must pay the price for his disastrous policies? We need a leader who will stand up to the radical left and put the people of Illinois first.”
It was an honor to have Secretary Noem in town for the press conference, and I stand with the Trump Administration 100% with regard to their efforts to identify and depart illegal immigrants.
Senator Andrew Chesney Launches 2025 Summer Reading Program
With summer break from school right around the corner, I am launching my 2025 Summer Reading Program. Reading over the summer isn’t just about keeping kids busy, it’s about giving them a head start for the next school year.
Students entering first through sixth grade in the fall of this year are challenged to read eight books over the course of the summer. Books over 200 pages may count as two books. Once a student has completed the readings, a summer reading form should be filled out and signed by a parent or guardian. The form can be accessed here.
Completed forms should be returned by August 13, 2025, to the following address:
State Senator Andrew Chesney
50 West Douglas Street, Suite 1001
Freeport, IL 61032
Participants who complete the program will receive an official certificate of recognition from the Illinois Senate and an invitation to a special ice cream party to celebrate their achievement.
For additional information, please contact my district office at (815) 232-0774.
One Week Left to Donate Pet Food to Benefit Friends Forever Humane Society
I want to thank everyone who came out on Saturday to the free document shredding event I co-hosted in Machesney Park with Mayor Steve Johnson. We had a great turnout for this popular event!
As a reminder, there is one week remaining in the Pet Food Donation Drive I’m doing in cooperation with the Northwest Illinois Alliance of Realtors. Food collected through this drive will benefit the Friends Forever Humane Society in Freeport, and the drive concludes on May 16.
Specifically, the Society has expressed a need for the following items:
- Purina Dog Chow
- Purina Cat Chow
- Purina Puppy Chow
- Purina Kitten Chow
- Purina Dog Chow Little Bites
- Any variety of Canned Dog Food
Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:
Senator Andrew Chesney’s Office
50 West Douglas Street, Suite #1001, Freeport
Northwest Illinois Alliance of Realtors
773 W. Lincoln Blvd, Suite 304-A, Freeport, AND
1161 Tebala Blvd, Rockford
Keller Williams
809 Spring Street, Galena
For additional information about this event please call (815) 395-6777 or email Ashley at Ashley@nwrealtors.org.
A Busy Week at the Capitol
It was an incredibly busy week at the Capitol as we faced another key deadline week for bills. With many pieces of legislation still working their way through the process, lawmakers had opportunities to meet with several groups about issues that are important to them.
Above, I’m shown with 8th grade students from East Dubuque Jr. High School. They were in town to learn more about state government and how they can be involved citizens.
In the collage below I am shown on the left with a group of 4H students who spoke with legislators about the value of 4H programs, and on the right with Highland Community College (HCC) Trustee Pennie Groezinger, HCC President Chris Kuberski, and HCC Board Vice Chair Shawn Boldt. We discussed a variety of higher education issues, including the importance of providing a pathway for four-year degrees at our esteemed community colleges.
Senate Republicans Push Back Against Estate Tax Hike, Fight to Protect Family Farms
As you may recall, in my last newsletter I highlighted $6 billion in new tax proposals that are being pushed by Illinois Democrats. One element of their tax hike package involves the state’s estate tax, which puts family farms in Illinois at risk.
As Democrats in Springfield push to lower the state’s estate tax exemption from $4 million to $2 million, my Senate Republican colleagues and I are raising serious concerns about the impact on small, family-owned farms and businesses that already struggle under one of the highest tax burdens in the nation.
Lowering the threshold would mean more grieving families would be forced to pay hefty taxes simply for inheriting land or assets that have been in their families for generations. For many farm families, this could result in the forced sale of farmland or equipment just to cover the tax bill, putting the future of their operations at risk.
Senate Republicans have long pushed to either phase out or raise the exemption threshold to better align with federal policy and reduce the burden on family-owned enterprises. These reforms are necessary to protect Illinois’ agricultural legacy and prevent the government from punishing families simply for trying to pass their land or business down to the next generation.
