National Day of Prayer National Day of Prayer is this Thursday, May 1. The National Day of Prayer has a rich history dating back to 1952, when Congress established it as an annual event for Americans to come together in prayer. Every year, people of all faiths unite to seek guidance, strength, and wisdom for the nation.
Senate Republicans Request Federal Guidance to Protect Fairness in Women’s Sports
Other members of the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus and I sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting federal guidance to ensure fairness in girls’ and women’s athletics in Illinois high schools. The letter follows conflicting guidance from state agencies and growing concerns about how to uphold the intent of Title IX in the wake of recent federal actions.
Recently, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) responded to a letter from Republican lawmakers who asked how the association plans to protect opportunities for female athletes. In its response, the IHSA revealed that both the Illinois Attorney General and the Department of Human Rights have directed the organization to permit athletes to compete based on gender identity—a stance the IHSA says could conflict with federal law.
I argue that this shouldn’t be a partisan issue. It’s about protecting the progress generations of women have fought for and ensuring a level playing field for female athletes. The current Illinois rules are subjective and do not provide protection to underage girls and women. Instead, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) leaves uncertainty regarding who will be in girl’s locker rooms and who women will be competing against in their sports.
In our letter to Attorney General Bondi, we asked for clarification on how Illinois schools and athletic associations should respond to President Trump’s February 5 Executive Order, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” The order directs federal agencies to interpret Title IX consistent with its original intent—protecting single-sex athletic competition for biological females.
The lawmakers are seeking answers to the following:
- Whether Illinois’ current position permitting biological males to compete in girls’ sports violates federal law;
- If that position places the state at risk of losing federal education funding or facing legal action from the Department of Justice;
- What steps Illinois must take to align with both the Executive Order and Title IX.
A copy of the letter sent to Attorney General Bondi is available here
Legislation Passes to Ease Regulations for Disabled People
I am a co-sponsor of legislation aimed at making state law less burdensome for people with disabilities, which recently passed the Illinois Senate with unanimous support.
Under current rules, disabled individuals (or their parents or guardians) are required to submit a letter from a doctor to the Secretary of State declaring that the individual suffers from a disability before they can be issued disability plates or parking decals.
Senate Bill 1256 is designed to reduce that burden by requiring the certification to be updated only once every 5 years, and it allows licensed physical therapists to be able to sign off on the applications, potentially saving individuals from an additional costly doctor’s visit. The Illinois Senate passed Senate Bill 1256 on April 9,2025, and it now awaits action in the House.
Students Dive into Legislative Experience Through Sen. Balkema’s Youth Advisory Council
I recently welcomed high school students across the 53rd Senate District to the Illinois State Capitol for his Youth Advisory Council (YAC), offering students a firsthand look at state government operations.
The YAC program allows students to engage directly in the legislative process through a hands-on simulation. During this week’s meeting, participants filled roles such as legislators, advocates, media, and concerned citizens as they debated a bill focused on ensuring clean drinking water in schools, a topic that resonated deeply with students and sparked thoughtful discussion. These students brought passion and great ideas to the table. It’s inspiring to watch them take initiative on an issue as important as clean water in our schools. I hope this experience shows them that their voices truly matter.
As spring gets into full swing, Illinois farmers are hitting the fields for the start of planting season. With tractors, planters, and other large equipment on the move, drivers across the state are reminded to slow down, stay alert, and share the road.
Farmers across Illinois are working long hours to prepare and plant their fields, which means increased farm equipment on the roadways. This equipment often travels at much slower speeds and may take up more space than a typical vehicle. In many rural areas, narrow roads and limited visibility can create added risks during this busy time of year.
The American Farm Bureau Federation offers the following tips to help keep the roadways safe for everyone:
- Be alert and cautious. Give large farm equipment and other slow-moving vehicles space.
- Do not pass if you are in a space designated as a “No Passing Zone” or in any area where it is not safe to do so—intersections, bridges and railroad crossings, among others.
- Make sure the tractor isn’t trying to make a left turn before you pass on the left.
- Don’t tailgate.
Be careful when you do get the chance to pass. Farmers will often move their equipment over when it is safe to do so.
Celebrating Caterpillar’s 100th Anniversary Congratulations to Caterpillar on their 100th Anniversary! Caterpillar has played a critical role in building our nation’s infrastructure and strengthening our communities.
As someone who’s proudly spent 31 years working at Caterpillar, I know firsthand the dedication, innovation, and strength that have defined this company for a century. I can say one thing for sure, this company is the real deal. It’s where I learned the value of hard work, teamwork, and showing up every day ready to build something that matters. Happy 100th to the yellow iron that’s built more than machines—it’s built careers, friendships, and strong communities.