Senate Republicans, led by State Senator Dave Syverson, voiced their apprehensions about a proposed funding formula for Illinois' higher education system during a State Capitol press conference on April 18. According to Senator Syverson, the formula would allocate funds to higher education institutions based on a per-student basis, with tiers ranging from $2,000 to $8,000, taking into account factors such as race.Citing potential legal challenges, the Republican lawmakers highlighted that linking funding levels to race, as proposed in the formula, could be deemed...
Illinois State Representative John M. Cabello recently participated in the Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day (IGOLD) at the State Capitol in Springfield. The event, which brings together responsible gun owners from across the state to advocate for their Second Amendment rights, was described by Cabello as a crucial opportunity for law-abiding citizens to make their voices heard.Cabello emphasized the importance of IGOLD, stating, “IGOLD is always one of the most important advocacy days of the spring legislative session, especially as the Illinois Democrats continue their...
Springfield, IL – State Representative John M. Cabello welcomed the newest member of the Illinois General Assembly, Patrick Sheehan to the House Floor. Representative Sheehan is joining the Illinois Statehouse to represent the 37th House District which includes parts of Will and Cook County. This appointment makes Representative Sheehan one of the few actively serving law enforcement officers in the Illinois General Assembly, alongside Reps Cabello and Tipsword.
Rockford Ready, a health literacy initiative led by the City of Rockford’s Health and Human Services Department, is gearing up to host the third annual SouthsideScene art and health fair on Saturday, April 20th. In collaboration with the Rockford Area Arts Council, the event aims to celebrate the cultural richness of the city and encourage residents to actively engage in their health journeys.“Our third annual SouthsideScene is an exciting event you don’t want to miss out on,” expressed Tiana McCall, Rockford Ready Community Outreach Coordinator and emcee for the upcoming...
The Illinois House of Representatives passed legislation on Wednesday sponsored by State Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) that would benefit the Illinois Railway Museum in Union. The bill, HB 1742, allows the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and the Service Boards (Metra, CTA, and Pace) to donate rolling stock, including locomotives and equipment, to museums in Illinois that are not-for-profit organizations.According to the report, Sosnowski's bill aims to help the Illinois Railway Museum acquire donations of surplus property more efficiently. This initiative would...
Mayor Tom McNamara spearheaded the opening of the Community Healing Center at the Boys and Girls Club - Stenstrom Unit. "Children can receive wrap-around navigation services in one location," said Mayor McNamara. The initiative is a collaboration with various community partners to deploy prevention and intervention strategies. The goal is to provide a safe space for kids to access a variety of services.The Center aims to remove barriers to accessing services for children who have experienced trauma from violence. "Center staff and community partners provide therapeutic...
National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week honors public safety telecommunicators for their commitment and dedication. A public safety telecommunicator works at an emergency response center and serves as a midpoint between the public and emergency responders."These men and women work around the clock to ensure the safety of our families and communities."Representative Sosnowski expresses gratitude for the vital role these professionals play, stating, "Rep. Sosnowski appreciates their dedication and the life-saving function they fulfill to help get police, fire, and...
Six months after the full implementation of the cashless bail system in Illinois, concerns about public safety are on the rise, with critics pointing to a trend of individuals committing crimes, being released shortly after, and reoffending while awaiting trial.House Republican Floor Leader, Patrick Windhorst, expressed his reservations about the Illinois SAFE-T Act, highlighting the challenges it poses for law enforcement officials and the impact on community safety. Windhorst emphasized the need for accountability, stating, "Illinoisans deserve to know that when a...
Senate Week in Review: April 8-12, 2024Opposition Voiced Against Wetland OverregulationIllinois' agriculture community is expressing opposition to proposed legislation that would grant the state significant authority over private land. The bill, Senate Bill 771, has drawn criticism from various sectors, including farmers, business groups, home builders, and energy producers. State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) strongly opposes the legislation, highlighting concerns about property rights infringement and the potential negative impacts on Illinois' agriculture,...
Illinois Corruption Saga ContinuesApr 12 2024"It is no secret that Chicago Corruption has been a problem holding our state back for many years." This statement rings true as the issue of corruption in Illinois continues to persist. In a recent report published by the University of Illinois at Chicago’s political science department, it was revealed that "Chicago is America’s most corrupt city, and Illinois is the third-most corrupt state." This damning conclusion sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by the state in combating corrupt practices."Unsurprisingly,...
State Senator Dave Syverson and State Representative Jeff Keicher are teaming up with the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office to organize an ICash program event in Hampshire on May 6. The event will take place at the Ella Johnson Memorial Public Library District from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.According to Senator Syverson, "Area residents interested in checking if they have unclaimed assets are encouraged to attend the event." The ICash program, administered by the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, aims to reunite individuals with their unclaimed property. Representative...
Senate Republicans Introduce Legislation to Reform Prisoner Review BoardResponding to a controversial decision by Governor JB Pritzker’s Prisoner Review Board (PRB) to release a convicted domestic abuser, allegedly leading to the murder of a young boy less than 24 hours later, State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) stated, "Crosetti Brand’s case is just the latest in a string of controversial decisions made by the PRB." The Senate Republican Caucus has introduced reforms to prioritize victims, depoliticize Board appointment process, and ensure accountability for...
Rep. Sosnowski is actively involved in legislative efforts that affect families in McHenry, Boone, and Winnebago Counties during the 2024 Spring Session. This week, the representative has been collaborating with fellow lawmakers on a broad spectrum of issues aimed at addressing the needs of constituents in the region.According to a recent update, Rep. Sosnowski is dedicated to participating in numerous committee hearings weekly and casting votes on multiple bills. Additionally, the representative is diligently responding to emails and telephone messages from constituents...
Illinois Set to Open Spring Trout Season on April 6The 2024 Illinois spring trout fishing season will open Saturday, April 6 at 58 ponds, lakes, and streams throughout the state. This announcement comes as the Illinois Department of Natural Resources prepares for the annual event, with a significant number of rainbow trout being stocked in various water bodies."The Illinois Catchable Trout Program receives funding support by those who use the program through the sale of inland trout stamps," said the department spokesperson. This funding mechanism allows for the...