Friend,
As we approach the end of the year, I’ve found myself reflecting on my first year in the Senate and the incredible privilege it is to serve our community. Thank you to everyone who has reached out, shared their ideas, attended events, or taken the time to stay engaged. Your involvement truly guides the work I do. I’m grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me, and I’m looking forward to building on this year’s progress as we head into the new year together.
This week’s newsletter includes the following topics:
- 2026 Legislative Goals
- IDOR Urges Residents to be Alert While Online Shopping
- Lawmakers Fail to Act on Tax Relief for Tipped Workers
- November Illinois Flash Index Increased Slightly
- Lawmakers Fail to Act on Tax Relief for Tipped Workers
- Federal SNAP Data Dispute Puts States on Notice
2026 Legislative Goals
As we approach the 2026 legislative session, I am continuing to focus on the issues that matter most to families in our district.
That includes:
- Pushing for meaningful property tax relief.
- Finding ways to lower electricity costs for residents.
- Identifying cost-saving opportunities within the state budget.
- Supporting efforts to improve public education and strengthen student test scores.
These are just a few of the critical priorities that I am working on. If you have ideas for legislation or concerns that you would like to share, you can reach out to my office here or call 217-782-6597. Thank you for your willingness to provide feedback. Your input helps guide the work I do in Springfield.
IDOR Urges Residents to be Alert While Online Shopping
As the holiday gift-giving season kicks off, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is urging Illinoisans to stay alert when shopping online and to take simple steps to protect themselves from fraud and identity theft.
According to the PEW Research Center, about 1 in 3 U.S. adults report experiencing an online shopping scam. The FBI also reported that online scams and internet crimes are on the rise, with a record $16.6 billion in losses occurring in 2024.
To help combat the increase in online scams and crimes, IDOR shared some helpful online safety tips for Illinois shoppers:
- Shop with trusted retailers
- Pay with a credit card, rather than debit cards or other payment options
- Check for secure websites and look for https in the URL
- Use strong passwords and enable multifactor authentication
- Avoid public Wi-Fi for online shopping or financial transactions
- Monitor your financial accounts regularly
- Protect your personal and tax information
- Be alert for delivery and tracking scams
Follow these helpful tips and tricks to stay alert and be on the lookout for cybercriminals this holiday season.
November Illinois Flash Index Increased Slightly
According to the Institute of Government and Public Affairs, University of Illinois, the Illinois Flash Index inched up to 101.7 in November, signaling continued slow but steady economic growth. Despite growing more slowly than the national economy, Illinois remains stable and unaffected by recent federal uncertainty. Some state economic data is still delayed due to the government shutdown, but it should resume soon. November tax receipts were mixed: individual income tax revenues increased, sales tax revenues dipped slightly, and corporate tax receipts rose sharply likely due to shifting revenue patterns rather than a stronger economy.
Read more here.
Lawmakers Fail to Act on Tax Relief for Tipped Workers
Earlier this year, Governor Pritzker and the Democratic majority in Springfield chose not to move forward with proposals to extend tax relief for tipped workers, despite Illinoisans across the state struggling with rising costs of living.
Senate Bill 140, which would exempt tip income from state taxation, was introduced to offer meaningful help. However, the bill has not yet been scheduled for a hearing. Without legislative consideration, tipped workers are left navigating confusing and conflicting federal and state tax rules, creating extra paperwork and reducing take-home pay.
This missed opportunity comes in the context of the state’s recent decision to decouple from federal tax reforms, a change many employers warn could slow investment and wage growth, affecting businesses and families across Illinois.
I am urging legislative leaders to hold a hearing on SB 140 so lawmakers from both parties can give this commonsense proposal the full, fair consideration it deserves.
Federal SNAP Data Dispute Puts States on Notice
Federal SNAP food assistance remains a major national topic as the federal government recently signaled that it may withhold SNAP funding from states that do not provide the requested program data. Illinois is among the states declining to comply with the federal request, even as the program faces ongoing scrutiny for rising error rates and limited transparency. Since 2017, Illinois’ error rate has nearly doubled, reaching 11.56 percent in 2024.
Federal officials say the data request is part of a broader effort to combat growing fraud within the nearly $100-billion-a-year program. Under recent federal law changes, states reporting error rates above 10 percent must repay 15 percent of the value of their SNAP benefits, a requirement that could place a significant financial burden on states where fraud and errors remain high.
The initial request for detailed SNAP data was issued earlier this year, prompting twenty-two states and the District of Columbia to file a lawsuit challenging the requirement. The federal government has since reiterated its expectations in a follow-up letter, stating that states have until December 8 to respond to the data request.