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.
