Friend,
I hope you had a great weekend. Last week, lawmakers returned to the Capitol and officially kicked off the 2026 Spring Session. With session now underway, my focus remains on standing up for our district, protecting taxpayers, and pushing back on policies that make Illinois less affordable for families and businesses.
Topics below include:
- Valentines for Seniors Card Drive
- Senator Balkema Announces $1.2 million in OSLAD Grants for Village of Coal City and Village of Dwight Parks
- Illinois Budget has Grown 5x Faster than the Economy
- DCEO Announces Manufacturing Training Academy Expansion
Valentines for Seniors Card Drive
With Valentine’s Day approaching, Representative Bunting, Representative Tipsword and I are inviting you to write a Valentine’s Day card for seniors in our district. These small gestures mean so much and help remind our seniors they are valued and remembered.
Last year, members of the Senate Republican Caucus collected and delivered more than 60,000 Valentine’s cards statewide, helping brighten the day for thousands of seniors.
Residents interested in participating are encouraged to contact their local Senate Republican office for drop-off details or visit http://senatorchrisbalkema.com/events to learn more about the program.
Drop off or mail cards by February 2nd, 2026 to one of the legislative offices:
• 305 West Madison Street, Pontiac, IL 61764
• 132 East Main Street, Dwight, IL 61738
• 125 West Front Street, El Paso, IL 61738
• 1001 E. Grant Street, Watseka, IL 60970
Drop off hours are between 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Monday- Friday. If you plan to deliver the cards in person, we kindly encourage you call ahead to ensure someone will be available to receive them.
Senator Balkema Announces $1.2 million in OSLAD Grants for Village of Coal City and Village of Dwight Parks
Coal City and Dwight will receive a combined $1.2 million in state funding through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, grant program to support local park improvements.
These OSLAD grants are a smart investment in our communities, giving families better access to safe, well-maintained parks and outdoor spaces close to home,” said Senator Balkema. “Projects like these strengthen quality of life, support local priorities, and ensure taxpayer dollars are put to work in ways residents can see and enjoy for years to come.
The Village of Coal City was awarded $600,000 for the Hunters Run Park project, while the Village of Dwight will receive $600,000 for Renfrew Park Master Plan Phase II.
Established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1986, the OSLAD program is a cost-sharing partnership between state and local governments that helps communities acquire land and develop outdoor recreation opportunities. Since its creation, the program has awarded $640 million for park projects across Illinois.
Illinois Budget has Grown 5x Faster than the Economy
I am working hard to make Illinois a more welcoming place for both small businesses and large employers, because a strong private sector is essential to a strong state. We must attract and retain businesses so we can grow Illinois’ gross domestic product, create jobs, and ease the tax burden on hardworking families. Since 2018, Illinois’ economy has grown just 7.4%, among the slowest in the nation, while the state budget has grown more than 36%, nearly five times faster than the economy. During that same period, the U.S. economy grew 18%, more than double Illinois’ growth, underscoring the urgent need to get our economic priorities back on track.
Read the full article by Illinois Policy here.
DCEO Announces Manufacturing Training Academy Expansion
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced this month that $24 million in grant funding is available to establish six new Manufacturing Training Academies at community colleges in downstate Illinois.
The capital grants are aimed at strengthening the manufacturing workforce and supporting economic growth in downstate communities.
The funding will be awarded through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity process and is intended to expand training opportunities for high-demand manufacturing jobs. Grants will support facility upgrades, equipment purchases, and the development of advanced workforce training spaces focused on modern manufacturing needs.
Eligible applicants include community colleges located outside Cook County and the collar counties that have not previously received Manufacturing Training Academy funding. Qualified institutions may apply for grants ranging from $3 million to $6 million.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through April 30, 2026, or until funds run out.