Welcoming Highland Community College Agriculture Students to the Capitol
I had the opportunity this week to meet with agriculture students from Highland Community College on the Illinois Senate floor.
It was great to welcome these students to the Capitol and spend time discussing how the legislative process works here in Illinois. We talked about how ideas move through the General Assembly, the importance of civic engagement, and the many ways young people can get involved in shaping the future of our state. Their thoughtful questions and strong interest in public policy were encouraging to see.
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of our region’s economy, so it was especially meaningful to connect with students who are preparing to be the next generation of leaders in this vital industry.
Thank you to the students from Highland Community College for taking the time to visit Springfield. I appreciate your interest in state government and look forward to seeing the impact you will make in the years ahead.
Congratulating Orangeville Native Tessa Janecke on Olympic Gold in Ice Hockey
Orangeville native Tessa Janecke has made the entire 45th Senate District proud with her incredible Olympic gold medal performance in ice hockey for Team USA. I want to personally congratulate Tessa on representing our community and our country at the highest level.
Tessa played an important role in helping Team USA capture the gold medal, showcasing the skill, work ethic, and determination that have made her one
of the top young players in the game. Throughout the tournament, she recorded five assists during Team USA’s dominant run, proving she is not only a talented playmaker but a strong and reliable teammate.
She is an inspiration to me and to families across the 45th District. We are proud of everything she has accomplished, and I wish her the very best as she continues her pursuit of a national championship with Penn State. Congratulations again on bringing home gold for our country and community.
Witness Slips Give the Public a Voice in the Legislative Process
As the General Assembly continues moving through the spring session, more legislation will begin appearing on committee agendas. Committee hearings are a key step in the legislative process and one of the most important opportunities for the public to weigh in through the Illinois General Assembly’s witness slip system.
Witness slips may be filed online at www.ilga.gov. To access the form, visit the Senate Schedules or House Schedules page and navigate to Hearing Schedules. From there, select the Today, Week, or Month tab, choose the hearing you want to follow, click Details, and then select Create Witness Slip. Fill out the required information and submit.
Filing a witness slip allows Illinois residents to register support, opposition, or no position on a bill. Individuals may also indicate whether they wish to provide testimony at the hearing or simply have their position entered into the official record. The system opens once a bill is posted for committee and closes immediately after the hearing concludes, so timely submission is important.
Submitting a witness slip is one of the most effective and accessible ways for Illinoisans to make their voices heard in Springfield. Constituents are also encouraged to contact the office directly by phone or email to share their perspectives on pending legislation.
Reaction to the Governor’s Budget Address
