This week’s topics include:
- District 53 Highlight – Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014
- Celebrating Illinois Wine and Small Business at Tres Rojas Winery
- Supporting Local Agriculture at Gray Farms
- Explore My New Data Hub
- Congressman LaHood’s Grant Opportunity Updates
- Illinois’ New Tech Taxes Raise Concerns
- Texas Is Expanding Reliable Energy
District 53 Highlight – Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014
Residents across the District gathered on July 17 to witness a remarkable piece of American railroad history as Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 traveled through Pontiac and made a scheduled stop in Dwight.
Families, railroad enthusiasts, and visitors lined the tracks hours in advance for the chance to see the world’s largest operating steam locomotive. The historic engine’s journey brought together people of all ages, with many sharing stories of the steam era while younger generations experienced the impressive locomotive for the first time.
Originally built in 1941 to haul heavy freight through the Wasatch Mountains, Big Boy No. 4014 remains a symbol of American innovation and engineering. Its visit to central Illinois celebrated the nation’s railroad heritage and created lasting memories for the thousands of spectators who came out to welcome it.
The event showcased the strong sense of community found throughout District 53 as neighbors gathered to celebrate an iconic part of America’s history and enjoy a unique experience together.
Click here to nominate a person, group, organization, business, or community effort deserving of recognition in the 53rd Senate District.
Celebrating Illinois Wine and Small Business at Tres Rojas Winery
I recently had the opportunity to visit Tres Rojas Winery in Washington and learn more about the passion, hard work, and entrepreneurship behind this award-winning Illinois small business.
Owned by Lisa and Bob Barry, Tres Rojas Winery sits on 51 acres with 7.5 acres dedicated to their vineyard. Their commitment to producing quality Illinois wines while contributing to local tourism and agriculture-related tourism has made them an important part of the Washington community.
Tres Rojas Winery was recently named the 2025 Business of the Year by the City of Washington, was inducted into the 2025 Illinois Made Makers, and earned the top award at the 2026 Illinois State Wine Competition with their dry red blend, Dos Hombres. In addition, Bob was recognized as the 2026 Viticulturist of the Year by the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association.
Illinois’ wine industry generates billions of dollars in economic activity across the state, and businesses like Tres Rojas Winery highlight the growing impact of agriculture, tourism, and locally owned businesses in our communities.
Thank you to Lisa and Bob for the warm welcome and for sharing your story. It was inspiring to see firsthand how a veteran- and woman-owned small business is helping strengthen our local economy and showcase what Illinois has to offer.
Supporting Local Agriculture at Gray Farms
I recently had the opportunity to visit Gray Farms in Watseka and learn more about the important role this family-owned farm plays in connecting people with agriculture and supporting our local community.
During my visit, I saw firsthand how Gray Farms has grown beyond a traditional farm by creating opportunities for visitors to experience agriculture through seasonal events, farm experiences, and locally grown products. Their commitment to showcasing where our food comes from while creating a destination for families and visitors is a great example of the innovation and dedication found throughout Illinois agriculture.
Agriculture is a cornerstone of our state’s economy, and it was great to hear about the hard work, passion, and vision that goes into operating a family farm and sharing that experience with others.
Thank you to the Gray family for welcoming me and sharing your story. It is always a privilege to meet with the farmers and agricultural leaders who make the 53rd District such a special place to live and work.
Explore My New Data Hub
I’m committed to giving you the facts behind the issues facing Illinois. That’s why I’ve expanded the Data Hub on my website with new presentations and interactive resources designed to make complex topics easier to understand.
Whether you’re interested in property taxes, education funding, the state budget, or other key policy issues, these presentations break down the numbers in a clear, easy-to-follow format. New resources will continue to be added, so be sure to check back often.
One of the newest tools is our Illinois Property Tax Heat Map, which lets you explore property tax burdens across the state and compare how communities are impacted. It’s an easy way to see where your tax dollars are going and how your area compares to others.
Visit the Data Hub on my website, then select “Data Hub” from the top navigation menu to explore these resources and stay informed on the issues that matter most.
Congressman LaHood’s Grant Opportunity Updates
Congressman Darin LaHood’s office regularly publishes updates on available federal grant opportunities for local governments, schools, nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations.
These grants support a wide range of projects, including public safety, infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, education, agriculture, and economic development. If your organization is looking for funding, these updates are a great place to start.
To view the latest grant opportunities, visit: https://lahood.house.gov/services/grants
Illinois’ New Tech Taxes Raise Concerns
As Springfield continues looking for new ways to generate revenue, Illinois has enacted several new taxes aimed at the technology industry. These include taxes on digital advertising, cryptocurrency transactions, and additional fees on large online platforms.
While supporters argue these taxes will bring in more revenue for the state, many business leaders and policy experts are concerned they could make Illinois a less attractive place for innovation and investment. Higher costs for technology companies often don’t stay with the companies, they can eventually be passed along to consumers and small businesses that rely on digital services every day.
I’ve said it before: Illinois shouldn’t be making it harder to grow jobs and attract investment. We need policies that encourage businesses to stay, expand, and create opportunities here rather than giving them another reason to look elsewhere.
Texas Is Expanding Reliable Energy
As electricity demand continues to grow, states are taking very different approaches to meeting future energy needs. Texas is investing in new natural gas-powered electricity generation to support its growing population, attract new businesses, and provide reliable power for energy-intensive industries like manufacturing and data centers.
Here in Illinois, we are moving away from reliable energy sources without ensuring we have enough dependable replacement capacity. While renewable energy is an important part of the mix, we also need reliable power that is available when demand is highest.
Reliable, affordable energy is essential for economic growth and keeping costs down for families. As other states invest in strengthening their energy supply, Illinois should be focused on doing the same.
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Have a great rest of your week! If you ever need anything, please reach out to my office! We are happy to help! See locations and contacts below.
Yours truly,
Senator Chris Balkema