Wishing you a meaningful Memorial Day
I encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.
Illinois Family Institute Continues Fight for Family Values
I had a great meeting at the Capitol with Illinois Family Institute Executive Director David Smith. It was an honor to spend time with someone who has been such a strong and consistent voice for conservative values in Illinois.
David is a true fighter who never backs down from standing up for faith, family, and the principles that matter most to so many Illinois families. In a time when too many people are afraid to speak clearly about their beliefs, he continues to lead with conviction and remains committed to advancing policies that strengthen our communities and promote a more moral and just society.
Organizations like the Illinois Family Institute play an important role in public policy discussions by giving a voice to families and people of faith across our state. I appreciate the work David and his team continue to do to defend religious liberty, protect families, and advocate for commonsense conservative values in Springfield.
Renewing the Call for Illinois to Join Federal Scholarship Program
I am once again calling on Governor JB Pritzker to opt Illinois into the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program created under President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.”
As I recently discussed in my column, this program gives Illinois families a real opportunity to access additional educational resources for their children through privately funded scholarships. These scholarships can help cover tuition, tutoring, books, and other educational needs without adding more spending to Illinois’ already bloated budget.
States like New York and Colorado have already signaled that they plan to participate, and Illinois should too.
The people of Illinois have made their voices clear. Voters across dozens of counties overwhelmingly supported participation in the program because families are looking for more opportunities and more flexibility when it comes to their children’s education.
If Illinois refuses to opt in, our taxpayers could still contribute to the program through federal tax credits, but the benefits would go to students in other states instead of helping families here at home.
Illinois students deserve better, and families deserve this opportunity.
Mount Carroll I-PASS On Demand Event Set for June 24
I am inviting residents to join Mount Carroll Mayor Carl Bates and I for an upcoming I-PASS On Demand Event on Wednesday, June 24, in Mount Carroll.
This event is a great opportunity for residents to return their old I-PASS transponders, receive a new I-PASS Sticker Tag, and get help managing their accounts. Staff will also be available to assist with transferring deposit balances and helping residents pay invoices without additional fees or fines.
The event will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Davis Community Center, located at 631 South East Street in Mount Carroll.
The new I-PASS Sticker Tags are battery-free, environmentally friendly, and can be used on both Illinois Tollway and E-ZPass roadways after activation.
I encourage anyone with questions about their I-PASS account or who needs to replace an older transponder to stop by. Events like this are a simple but important way to connect residents with helpful state services closer to home.
