I hope you enjoyed your weekend! This week’s newsletter includes the following topics:
- Daylight Savings
- Illinois Property Taxes
- Federal Government Reopens Property Tax Relief for Seniors
- Safety Reminders for Thanksgiving
- U.S. Mint Ends Production of the Penny After More Than Two Centuries
Daylight Savings
Thank you to everyone who weighed in on how Illinois should handle Daylight Saving Time. Here’s what you told us:
• 49.5% want to keep Daylight Saving Time year-round — no more clock changes and later sunsets all year.
• 34.9% prefer Standard Time year-round — also no clock changes, but with earlier sunsets.
• 15.6% want to keep the current system and continue changing the clocks twice a year.
Your feedback helps guide our conversations on this issue, and we appreciate the strong engagement. We’ll keep you updated as discussions continue at the state and federal levels.
Illinois Property Taxes
Over the past several weeks, I’ve been digging into Illinois property tax data to better understand how our state ended up with some of the highest property tax rates in the nation. I recently put together this presentation to help break down the major drivers behind our tax burden and to package all of the relevant facts into one clear, easy-to-read resource.
I’m now making this presentation public so every resident has the same access to the information. My goal is simple — give you the data, the comparisons, and the historical context so you can review it yourself and draw your own conclusions about where we are and what needs to change.
You can view the full presentation at the link below. I welcome any feedback, thoughts, or questions as we continue this conversation together. Please contact me here with feedback.
View the Property Tax Presentation.
Federal Government Reopens After Record-Breaking Shutdown
After weeks of uncertainty and disruption, the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history has finally come to an end.
On October 1, Washington Democrats triggered the shutdown after rejecting a bipartisan plan that would have kept the government open. The stalemate dragged on for 43 days before Congress ultimately approved a bipartisan funding bill, allowing federal agencies and services to begin returning to normal operations.
The shutdown had far-reaching consequences. More than 600,000 federal employees were furloughed, leaving families across the nation, and here in Illinois, without paychecks. Farmers were left waiting for critical federal assistance, travelers endured delays and service disruptions, and countless Illinoisans were forced to navigate stalled federal programs during the weeks-long impasse.
The newly approved funding bill reopens the federal government and keeps it operating through January 30, 2026.
Safety Reminders for Illinois Families This Thanksgiving
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I wanted to share helpful tips to ensure that you and your family have a fun and safe holiday.
According to the American Red Cross, Thanksgiving and the day before are the top two days of the year for home cooking fires in the United States. Nationwide, cooking-related incidents cause an average of 158,400 home fires each year, accounting for 44 percent of all home fires. With millions of Americans preparing large holiday meals, the Red Cross warns that simple mistakes in the kitchen can quickly turn dangerous.
To help families stay safe this Thanksgiving, Illinoisans can follow these helpful cooking safety tips:
- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
- Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
- Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
- Keep kids and pets at least three feet away from cooking areas.
- Keep anything that can catch on fire — potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains — away from your stove top and oven or any other appliance that generates heat.
- Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
- Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen.
- Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving home to make sure all stoves, ovens, and small appliances are turned off.
- Check your smoke alarm batteries.
Following these precautions can help prevent kitchen accidents and reduce the likelihood of a holiday fire emergency.
U.S. Mint Ends Production of the Penny After More Than Two Centuries
After more than 230 years in circulation, the United States Mint has officially stopped producing the penny. The final one-cent coin was struck on November 12, 2025, at the Mint’s Philadelphia facility, marking the end of an era for America’s longest-running coin.
The penny was first authorized by Congress in 1792 and began circulating in 1793. Over the centuries, it has featured several designs, with President Abraham Lincoln appearing on the front since 1909. Over time, the makeup of the penny has changed, with it being made of 97.5 percent zinc and 2.5 percent copper since 1982.
Officials say production costs were a major factor in the decision. In recent years, it has cost nearly four cents to make each penny, far exceeding its face value. While new coins will no longer be produced, existing pennies will remain legal tender and continue to circulate for years to come.