Push Back Against Governor’s Proposal to Eliminate Townships
I held a press conference last week to voice concerns over Governor Pritzker’s proposal to eliminate Illinois townships, warning it would lead to higher property taxes and fewer local services.
While I support government consolidation when it makes sense, this one-size-fits-all approach is not the answer. It shifts the financial burden to counties, leading to higher taxes for families who are already paying some of the highest property taxes in the nation.
Many townships provide essential services efficiently and locally and may be the best system in those communities. In other areas it may make sense to consolidate units of government. It needs to be a local decision because the voters of the community need to be the ones deciding what is best for them.
That is why I introduced SB 1347, a smarter, more localized approach to consolidation. SB 1347 puts decision-making in local hands, allowing communities to decide what’s best for them, rather than forcing a blanket mandate from Springfield. It provides a transparent, thoughtful process that ensures consolidation only happens when it genuinely benefits taxpayers and preserves vital services.
My bill offers an alternative to the Governor’s plan, focusing on local input and reducing the burden on taxpayers. It’s a responsible way to achieve government efficiency without sacrificing the services Illinois communities rely on.
Republicans Push for Fairness in High School Sports with New Letter to IHSA
During the week, State Republican lawmakers sent a letter to the Executive Director of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), urging the organization to clarify its policies regarding transgender athletes in high school sports and ensure fairness for women who have worked tirelessly to compete.
The letter, signed by members of both the Illinois Senate and House Republican Caucuses, calls on the IHSA to align its policies with recent federal guidelines that protect the integrity of women’s sports. The lawmakers emphasized that federal law clearly mandates that participation in women’s sports should be based on biological sex, in order to preserve fairness and competitive balance.
In their letter, lawmakers requested an update on how the IHSA plans to revise its policies to comply with federal requirements while ensuring a level playing field for women in sports. They are standing up for the women who dedicate themselves to training, sacrificing, and competing, ensuring they are judged on their skill.
Republican lawmakers are committed to protecting the opportunities that women athletes have worked so hard to earn. The message is clear: they are demanding transparency, accountability, and a commitment to maintaining fairness in Illinois sports.
Illinois Takes Bold Step with Bipartisan Senate Bill to Combat Human Trafficking
I am a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 2323, a new bipartisan proposal, that seeks to improve Illinois’ response to human trafficking by streamlining support services and enhancing coordination among state agencies. The bill takes a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach, designed to better identify, assist, and protect trafficking victims across the state.
Based on recommendations from the Joint Human Trafficking Working Group, formed in 2023 with input from over 60 stakeholders, the bill proposes a strategic plan to build a comprehensive network of services for survivors. This includes the creation of standards of care for medical and legal service providers.
Key provisions of Senate Bill 2323 include:
- Coordinated Services for Victims: The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will lead prevention efforts, provide resources for staff, and coordinate services for youth in care who have been victims of human trafficking or are at high risk of being trafficked.
- Expanded Training for Key Agencies: The bill requires expanded training for staff in DCFS, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Corrections to better identify and assist victims, especially youth in state care. It also aims to improve screening processes for at-risk populations in the justice system.
- Multidisciplinary Task Forces: Senate Bill 2323 will create multidisciplinary law enforcement task forces to coordinate investigations and responses across jurisdictions, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of human trafficking cases.
- Extended Legal Rights for Survivors: The bill removes the 25-year time limit for victims to bring lawsuits against their abusers, ensuring that survivors trafficked as minors can seek justice at any stage of their healing process.
Senate Bill 2323 passed the Senate Criminal Law Committee on March 18.
