As we look ahead to a joyous holiday season and a new year filled with opportunity, I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and your family for a happy and meaningful holiday season. It is an honor to represent the people of the 24th District, and I remain deeply thankful for the opportunity to serve our community.
This season offers a special chance to slow down, celebrate with loved ones, and appreciate the blessings in our lives. I hope it brings you moments of rest, gratitude, and togetherness. And as always, my office is here to support you. If you need assistance, please feel free to reach out at (630) 349-0645 or connect with us through the “Contact” form on my website at SenatorLewis.com.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a bright, prosperous year ahead!
Senator Lewis Co-Sponsors Bill to Expand Property Tax Relief for Senior Citizens
I am happy to report that property tax relief is on its way to seniors across the 24th District!
During the recent Veto Session, the legislature took steps to ease the property tax burden by passing Senate Bill 642, a measure designed to help seniors stay in their homes. I am a proud co-sponsor of this bill.
The proposal raises the maximum income limit for the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption over the next several years. Beginning in tax year 2026, the income limit increases to $75,000, then to $77,000 in 2027, and to $79,000 in 2028 and beyond.
The aim of the legislation is to expand eligibility for the property tax freeze program to allow more in-need seniors to qualify for relief and stay in their homes.
Enjoy the Holiday Break with Senator Lewis’ FREE Museum Pass
If you are looking for kid-friendly family fun this holiday season, I would invite you to reserve my office’s FREE museum pass card. With the card, up to four people can visit several of Chicagoland’s world-class museums and zoos. The pass covers basic entry fees, but special exhibits may include an additional cost. The Museum Pass Card is available on a first come first served basis.
The museum pass allows up to four people to gain free entrance to any of the following:
- Adler Planetarium
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- Brookfield Zoo
- Chicago Botanic Garden
- Chicago Children’s Museum
- Chicago History Museum
- Dusable Museum of African American History
- The Field Museum
- Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
- Lincoln Park Zoo
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Museum of Science and Industry
- National Museum of Mexican Art
- National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
- John G. Shedd Aquarium
Please allow at least two business days’ notice if you would like to use the museum pass. Additionally, if there is incomplete or missing information , this may cause a delay in your request.
Please click here to reserve the pass. The pass is non-transferable and must be used on the date reserved.
Open Enrollment Period Underway for “Get Covered Illinois”
The Open enrollment portal for Get Covered Illinois opened on November 1 and runs through January 15. This timeframe represents the annual opportunity for Illinoisans to enroll in, renew, or change their health insurance plans.
According the IL Department of Insurance, this year, Illinoisans will experience a new marketplace. Enrollees will apply for and enroll directly on GetCoveredIllinois.gov now that Illinois has officially transitioned to a state-based marketplace. They will also have access to increased support that is more tailored to their needs.
For coverage starting January 1, customers must enroll by December 15. Free, one-on-one enrollment help is available statewide from trained navigators and licensed brokers—in person, by phone, and online—with support in multiple languages. For more information or free assistance, visit GetCoveredIllinois.gov or call 1-866-311-1119 (TTY: 711).
New Secretary of State Office Opens in Naperville
My staff was recently in attendance when the Illinois Secretary of State’s newest office opened its doors. The Naperville “DMV” is now located in a modernized facility at 1771 W. Diehl Road. It is an appointment-only facility, so advanced appointments are required. The hours of operation are 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM Monday through Friday and 7:30 a.m.–noon on Saturdays. The new site replaces the longtime location on W. 75th Street, where the office had operated for more than 30 years.
As part of a broader statewide modernization effort, the new Naperville DMV offers 3,000 additional square feet, expanded parking, and a more efficient layout. A major improvement is the consolidation of driver and vehicle services into a single station, eliminating the need for customers to visit multiple counters to complete their transactions.
To further improve service, the facility added four new staff members, and all 69 employees are now cross-trained to handle both driver and vehicle services. This structure is expected to increase the number of available appointments and streamline daily operations.
The Secretary of State’s office says customers will notice a “night and day” difference at the new location, with significantly reduced wait times and a more convenient overall experience.
Digital IDs Available to Illinoisans
Illinoisans are now able to use digital driver’s licenses and state IDs on their smartphones after the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office announced the launch of a new mobile ID program.
Under the new digital ID program, residents can now add their driver’s license or state ID to their iPhone Apple wallets, with future plans to roll out support for Google and Samsung wallet users next year.
To add a digital ID on an iPhone, tap the “plus” button in the top right corner in the wallet app, select “driver’s license and ID cards,” and then follow the prompts. Citizens will be required to scan their physical IDs to complete the process.
Illinois joins a growing number of states adopting digital IDs, including Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, and Utah.
Mobile IDs became available on November 11th, with additional system expansions anticipated next year. Visit https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/mobile-id/apple-wallet.html to learn more.
U.S. Mint Ends Production of the Penny After More Than Two Centuries
It’s the end of an era for the United States Lincoln Penny. 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.
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.
IDOT Warns about Text Message Scams
Illinois residents are being warned about an ongoing phishing scam disguised as a text message from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
The scam claims recipients owe money for traffic tickets, toll violations, or other unpaid fines. Some messages threaten consequences such as additional fees or legal action if the recipient does not respond immediately.
State officials emphasize that IDOT does not send unsolicited text messages demanding payment for tolls, tickets, or penalties. Legitimate notices involving fines are sent through the mail.
Drivers who are concerned about unpaid tolls or fees are advised to verify their status directly by logging into their Illinois Tollway account.
Suspicious messages should not be answered or clicked. Instead, residents are encouraged to report phishing attempts to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).