| I hope you enjoyed your weekend! This Veterans Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women who have served our nation. Your courage, sacrifice, and commitment to protecting our freedoms will never be forgotten. To all who have worn the uniform and to the families who have supported them, thank you for your service. This week’s newsletter includes the following topics: Daylight Savings Youth Advisory Council Veto Session – Four bills were vetoed, and only one was amended. Property Tax Relief for Seniors – Passed the General Assembly. Blood Drive – Nov. 12 in Dwight. Daylight Savings Last week, we asked if Illinois should eliminate the clock changes for Daylight Saving Time, and 72% of you said yes. Now, let’s dive a little deeper. Here’s what you need to know: Staying on standard time year-round is allowed under current federal law. States like Arizona and Hawaii already do this — no federal approval is needed. Staying on Daylight Saving Time year-round is currently not allowed under federal law. States can pass legislation to prepare for this option, but it would only take effect if federal law changes.  Youth Advisory Council It was a great day in Pontiac with more than 60 students from 11 different high schools for my Youth Advisory Council! These young leaders are the future of our state and our nation. Today, they rolled up their sleeves and got to work — discussing issues they care deeply about and drafting potential bills they could see become law. Watching them collaborate, share ideas, and build connections with peers they just met this morning gives me tremendous hope for the future. Illinois has many challenges, but with bright, passionate young people like these stepping up, I know our future is in good hands. Watch the full highlight video here!  Majority Party Uses Veto Session to Push a Partisan Agenda The fall Veto Session has come to an end in Springfield, but instead of using the time to address the handful of bills vetoed by the Governor, the Democrat supermajority turned the session into an opportunity to push through more of their political agenda, resulting in families having to pay more. Veto session is meant to give lawmakers a chance to revisit and take action on legislation rejected or amended by the Governor. This year, however, that purpose was largely ignored. Out of 436 bills sent to the Governor during the spring session, only four were vetoed, two total vetoes, one reduction veto, and one amendatory veto. Despite this, the majority party filled the veto session calendar with controversial and overreaching proposals that had little to do with the veto process. Among the most debated measures were a sweeping public transit bailout for the City of Chicago that was rushed through with little to no time to review final bill language, a short-sighted tax plan known as “decoupling” that effectively raises taxes on Illinois job creators, and an $8 billion energy rate hike. Using veto session to push through major policy changes in the middle of the night, with little public input or debate, is irresponsible and dangerous. These measures will have lasting and permanent consequences for families, businesses, and communities across Illinois. The Senate is not scheduled to return to the Capitol until mid-January for the start of the 2026 spring session.  Bill to Expand Property Tax Relief for Senior Citizens Illinois continues to face one of the highest overall tax burdens in the nation, with homeowners paying the highest effective property tax rate of any state. The heavy tax load has driven many residents, particularly seniors, to leave Illinois. During the recent veto session, I supported easing that burden by voting for Senate Bill 642, a measure designed to help seniors stay in their homes. The bipartisan proposal raises the maximum income limit for the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption over the next several years. Beginning in tax year 2026, the income limit would increase to $75,000, then to $77,000 in 2027, and to $79,000 in 2028 and beyond. The aim of the legislation is to expand eligibility for the property tax freeze program to allow in-need seniors to qualify for relief and stay in their homes. The measure passed the Senate unanimously and now heads to the Governor for further consideration. Join Me for a Community Blood Drive in Dwight! I’m reaching out to invite you to join me, Representative Jason Bunting, and ImpactLife for a Community Blood Drive on Wednesday, November 12th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at my Dwight District Office, 132 East Main Street, Dwight, Illinois. Giving blood is a simple act that can make a life-saving difference. Every donation helps provide critical support for hospitals and patients in need throughout our region.If you’re able, I hope you’ll take a few minutes out of your day to roll up your sleeve and give back to the community. Together, we can help make sure blood is available when it’s needed most. 🩸 Appointments are encouraged. Please schedule yours here: ImpactLife – Donor Portal |