Hi everyone! I hope you’ve had a great week, as always.
This week’s topics include:
- Bringing Six Sigma to Illinois State Government
- Illinois College Tuition Costs More Than Indiana
- Senate Republicans Highlight Domestic Violence Protections During Awareness Month
- Submit Info for Veterans Day Wall of Honor Display by November 6
- National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
- Showcasing Illinois Products and Small Businesses
- Grant Funding Available for Local Fire Departments and EMS Providers
- Illinois Ranks 38th in State Tax Competitiveness
Bringing Six Sigma to Illinois State Government
Senator Chris Balkema is working to bring Six Sigma, a data-driven approach to improving efficiency and reducing waste, to state government to help ensure taxpayer dollars are used as effectively as possible. As the first step in this initiative, District Office Coordinator Jorgi Dupureur earned her Six Sigma Green Belt certification to begin identifying opportunities to improve office productivity and develop a model that can be applied statewide.
Our office is now beginning the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) process to examine Illinois’ property tax system and identify opportunities for greater efficiency, accountability, and improvement. A key goal of this effort is to identify inefficiencies and unnecessary costs within the property tax system that could lead to meaningful cost reductions and ultimately help ease the property tax burden on Illinois homeowners.
If you are interested in helping our office advance this initiative and work toward a more efficient state government, we encourage you to reach out to Senator Balkema’s office.
Illinois College Tuition Costs More Than Indiana
College affordability remains a challenge for Illinois students and families. According to a recent report from the Illinois Policy Institute, every public university in Illinois charges more in tuition and mandatory fees than every public university in Indiana.
For the 2025-26 academic year, Illinois ranked ninth highest in the nation for public university tuition and fees, despite spending more per student on higher education than any other state. Meanwhile, Indiana froze in-state undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees at public colleges and universities for two academic years, through 2026-27.
Students and families deserve affordable options to pursue higher education without taking on unnecessary financial burdens. Illinois needs to take a closer look at how higher education funding is spent and find ways to make college more affordable while keeping students in our state.
Senate Republicans Highlight Domestic Violence Protections During Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and I believe we must continue working to strengthen protections for victims, address repeat abuse, and hold offenders accountable.
According to the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 101 people died in domestic violence-related incidents across Illinois in 2025. These numbers are a sobering reminder of the importance of preventing violence and protecting those at risk.
Earlier this year, Senate Republicans introduced four bills aimed at improving victim safety and addressing gaps in Illinois law.
Senate Bill 3139 would change pretrial release standards for certain domestic violence offenses and violations of protective orders. Senate Bill 3140 would increase criminal penalties for violating an order of protection. Senate Bill 3141 would establish stronger minimum jail penalties for certain protective order violations, while Senate Bill 3142 would increase penalties for offenders with certain prior violations.
These proposals focus on strengthening accountability, addressing repeat offenses, and giving victims additional opportunities to seek safety and support.
Protecting victims of domestic violence must remain a priority throughout the year, not just during October. We must continue working to prevent abuse from escalating into tragedy and ensure victims have the protections and resources they need.
Submit Info for Veterans Day Wall of Honor Display by November 6
In recognition of the brave men and women who have served our nation, the Senate Republican Caucus is once again hosting its annual Veterans Day Wall of Honor, giving families across Illinois an opportunity to pay tribute to loved ones who have served in the U.S. military.
The display will be featured in the Illinois State Capitol Rotunda from November 7 through November 19 and will include a video tribute featuring photos and stories of Illinois veterans.
Senate Republicans are encouraging friends and family members to submit a photo and written story of up to 250 words, along with the veteran’s name, military branch and conflict or era of service. Military photos are preferred but are not required.
Submissions should be emailed to veteransday@sgop.ilga.gov by November 6 to be included in the Veterans Day display. Submissions may also be mailed to Veterans Day Wall, 309 G Statehouse, Springfield, IL 62706. For questions, please call (217) 782-1154
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Saturday, October 24, is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a reminder to safely dispose of unused or expired medications and help keep them out of the wrong hands.
Properly disposing of prescription drugs can help prevent accidental poisonings, medication misuse, and substance abuse while keeping potentially harmful medications out of our homes and communities.
I encourage residents to take a few minutes to check their medicine cabinets and find a local collection site to safely dispose of any unwanted medications. Small steps like these can make a difference in protecting our families and keeping our communities safe.
For more information and to find a collection site near you, visit the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day website.
Showcasing Illinois Products and Small Businesses
The Illinois Department of Agriculture is bringing the Illinois Product Expo to Chicago for the first time on October 16-17 at the University of Illinois Chicago’s Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum. The event will bring together more than 70 Illinois vendors, giving residents the opportunity to sample and shop products made right here in our state.
From locally made food and beverages to unique products from small businesses, the Expo highlights the hard work of Illinois farmers, entrepreneurs, and producers.
Supporting Illinois-made products helps keep dollars in our local economy, creates opportunities for small businesses, and strengthens our agricultural communities. I encourage residents to seek out products made in Illinois and support the businesses that help keep our state moving forward.
For event details and vendor information, visit the Illinois Product Expo website.
Grant Funding Available for Local Fire Departments and EMS Providers
The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal is now accepting applications for its FY2027 Small Equipment Grant Program, with $6 million available statewide to help fire departments, fire protection districts, township fire departments, and nonprofit ambulance services purchase essential equipment.
This year, eligible applicants can apply for grants of up to $50,000, nearly doubling the previous maximum award of $26,000. The funding can help local departments purchase firefighting tools and emergency medical equipment they may otherwise struggle to afford.
Our first responders deserve the equipment they need to protect our communities and respond when emergencies happen. I encourage eligible departments across our district to explore this funding opportunity.
Applications must be submitted online by November 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Applicants must also complete the required state and federal pre-registration steps.
For eligibility requirements and application details, visit the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s website.
Illinois Ranks 38th in State Tax Competitiveness
A new report from the Tax Foundation ranks Illinois 38th overall in the 2026 State Tax Competitiveness Index, highlighting challenges with the state’s tax structure compared with other states.
Illinois ranks 42nd in corporate taxes, 41st in property taxes, 37th in sales taxes, and 42nd in unemployment insurance taxes. While Illinois ranks 13th in individual income taxes, the overall results show areas where the state could improve its tax competitiveness.
Illinois families and businesses face a range of costs, and creating an environment where employers can grow and families can afford to stay is important to our state’s future. I believe we need to take a closer look at our tax policies, control government spending, and focus on making Illinois more competitive with neighboring states.
Read the full breakdown from the Tax Foundation.
Have a great rest of your week! If you ever need anything, please reach out to my office! We are happy to help! See locations and contacts below.
Yours truly,
Senator Chris Balkema