Huge Turnouts for New Office Open House Events
I want to thank everyone who took the time to come out for the open house events I hosted last week to launch the new office locations in Carol Stream and Wheaton. We had tremendous turnouts at both events, and it was wonderful to see such an outpouring of support. Both new spaces will allow for enhanced constituent services. The photo collage above highlights the Carol Stream event, and the collage below showcases our event in Wheaton.
Each office is shared with the corresponding State Representative for the area. New office locations are as follows:
Senator Lewis/Representative Sanalitro Senator Lewis/Representative Grant
994 W. Army Trail Road 416 E. Roosevelt Road, Suite #111
Carol Stream, IL 60188 Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 349-0645 (630) 349-0645
Please never forget that my highly-trained constituent services staff can help residents cut through the red tape when dealing with state agencies and departments. They are skilled at resolving issues involving unemployment insurance, professional license delays or transfers, FOID/Concealed Carry delays, issues involving the Attorney Generals’ Office, the State Police, the Department of Human Services, and more.
If you have an issue that you believe requires our help, you can access my constituent services portal by clicking here.
Governor Signs Record-Breaking Budget into Law
Despite bipartisan opposition, on June 16, Governor JB Pritzker officially signed into law the largest government spending plan in Illinois history. This budget fails to deliver much-needed tax relief to Illinois residents.
The new budget, which took effect on July 1, underfunds services for some of Illinois’ most vulnerable citizens, like those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, yet continues to fund programs for non-citizens. The budget also underfunds Pre-K through 12th grade education and eliminates a small, but vital property tax relief program for families already struggling to survive.
The $55.2 billion budget includes nearly $1 billion in new tax increases and relies heavily on budget gimmicks and one-time revenue grabs. It reflects a nearly $15 billion increase, almost 40%, since Pritzker took office. All Senate Republicans opposed the plan, pointing to record spending, misplaced priorities, a lack of transparency, and a growing financial burden on families and businesses.
The spending plan relies on new and increased taxes on vacation rentals like Airbnb and VRBO, gaming, phone services, nicotine products, and hundreds of millions in additional taxes on businesses that will inevitably be passed on to consumers.
This is yet another bloated government spending plan that keeps growing while family incomes remain stagnant. It adds to the strain on working families and offers little relief in a state already burdened with the highest tax load in the nation.
Secretary of State Community Library Grants Announced
I am thrilled to report that nearly $1 million in public library grant dollars and being channeled toward libraries in the 24th Senate District. Our local awards are as follows:
Small Business Grants Awarded in 24th District
DuPage County’s Human Services Committee recently approved $711,336 in grants through the County’s Small Agency Grant Program, and I am happy to report that $339,450 in grants have been awarded to non-profits in the 24th Senate District. The grants provided up to $30,000 each for 32 County agencies that provide programs and services in the areas of economic development (including job readiness and literacy); education and mentoring; housing and shelter; behavioral health services; substance use disorder treatment; or food assistance.
The agencies awarded had to be a 501(c)(3) organization in good standing, have annual revenue under $300,000 and complete an application detailing the specific activities and outcomes to be supported by County funds. The following non-profits from the 24th Senate District were awarded Small Agency Grants:
- Accelerate Climate Solutions: Naperville, $3,000
- Chinese American Women in Action: Naperville, $26,500
- Community Access Naperville Inc.: Naperville, $15,000
- CREO Dupage: Glen Ellyn, $15,000
- D41 Kids Foundation: Glen Ellyn, $7,500
- DoodleBug Workshop Vocational Training Center: Wheaton, $30,000
- Glen Ellyn Youth and Family Counseling Services: Glen Ellyn, $30,000
- Kids Against Hunger: Roselle, $30,000
- My Half: Wheaton, $25,000
- Naperville Neighbors United: Naperville, $30,000
- OLI Gardens Inc: Naperville, $30,000
- Orchestra Parents-Patrons United Support: Naperville, $17,450
- Paws 4 Kids 4 Paws: Bensenville/Elmhurst, $30,000
- Repeat Boutique: Carol Stream, $30,000
- Restorative Resources Foundation of DuPage: Wheaton, $5,000
- Ride Assist Naperville: Naperville, $15,000
- Love Your Neighbor, NFP: Wheaton, $10,000
- St. Sophia’s Forgotten Felines: Wheaton, $17,500
- The Center Coracles: Itasca, $26,880
- The GardenWorks Project: Wheaton, $5,000
- The Harambee Initiative: Lisle, $29,800
House and Senate Republicans urge veto of Senate Bill 328, File Lawsuit to Expose Constitutional Violation
I recently joined my colleagues from the Illinois House and Senate Republican caucuses to call on Governor Pritzker to veto Senate Bill 328, legislation that would serve only to enrich trial lawyers at the expense of jobs and economic growth.
In furtherance of that effort, we also filed a lawsuit in Sangamon County court to enforce the Illinois Constitution’s Three Readings Rule, due to the blatantly unconstitutional process the Democratic majority used to ram the special interest proposal through the General Assembly after midnight on the last day of session. It is important to note that NO taxpayer funds are being used to pay for this lawsuit.
The Illinois Constitution’s Three Readings Rule is designed to give lawmakers sufficient time to evaluate legislation and to ensure transparency for the public. It requires that bills be read on three separate days. However, Democrats have consistently disregarded this requirement.
The lawsuit specifically challenges the passage of Senate Bill 328, which we argue was advanced without following the required legislative procedures. We contend that the bill poses an immediate threat to Illinois residents by exposing the legal system to greater exploitation by trial lawyers.
The legislation would overhaul Illinois’ judicial system and allow out-of-state businesses to be sued by out-of-state plaintiffs in Illinois courts for incidents with no connection to the state. A lesser-known provision in the law also allows foreign businesses registered in the state to be sued. It was passed using a variety of procedural gimmicks to avoid constitutional requirements and public scrutiny.
Similar legislation has twice been vetoed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul and multiple national and state business groups, including the American Tort Reform Association and Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, have been echoing the Republicans’ call for a veto.
The lawsuit is a necessary step toward holding lawmakers accountable and restoring transparency and constitutional integrity to the legislative process.
Illinoisans Warned to Beware of SOS Phishing Scams
The Secretary of State’s (SOS) Office is warning Illinoisans to keep on the lookout for text message scams claiming to be from the “Illinois State Department of Motor Vehicles” that threaten to suspend vehicle registration and driving privileges.
The text messages are phishing attempts designed to trick residents into giving up personal or financial information. Recipients should not respond or open any links found in unsolicited texts and emails.
Please know that the SOS office does not send text messages that include threats to suspend vehicle registration or driving privileges. The office only sends text messages to remind residents about scheduled DMV appointments. It does not send text messages regarding driver’s license or vehicle registration status.
Illinoisans are encouraged to report scam attempts to the Federal Trade Commission by visiting reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Madigan Sentenced: 7 ½ Years, $2.5 Million Fine for Public Corruption
Not a single ethics reform elevating the conduct of members of the General Assembly passed this year, despite one of the highest-profile corruption cases in our state’s history making its way through the federal court system. This was not due to a lack of legislation being filed. This year Senate and House Republicans filed many bills that called for independent oversight of legislator behavior, increased transparency for lawmaker activity, tighter revolving-door laws, and other initiatives that would raise the bar for legislator conduct. I still believe significant ethics reforms are needed.
As you are probably aware, in June, former Speaker of the House Michael Madigan was sentenced to 7½ years in federal prison and a $2.5 million fine for corruption. It’s a stunning fall for a man who ruled state politics like a mob boss, controlling government, rewarding allies, punishing opponents, and building one of the most formidable political machines in the country.
Madigan was indicted in 2022 after years of federal investigations. Prosecutors charged him with racketeering, bribery, wire fraud, and extortion for orchestrating a scheme in which he traded official favors for personal and political gain. At the heart of the case was a series of deals involving utility giant ComEd, which prosecutors said secured favorable legislation in exchange for funneling no-work jobs and contracts to Madigan’s allies.
The trial revealed a political operation run like an organized crime syndicate—one that blurred the lines between public service and personal power. Madigan was ultimately convicted on all major counts, ending a career that shaped state government for half a century. But while Madigan faces justice, the system that enabled him remains intact. Without meaningful reform, Madigan’s conviction may serve as a warning, but not the fix Illinois still desperately needs.