America Celebrates Its 250th Birthday!
This past Saturday, Americans across our nation proudly celebrated Independence Day while also marking a historic milestone honoring the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. It is a time to reflect on the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of the men and women who pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to secure the blessings of liberty for future generations.
Independence Day reminds us that the American story is one of faith, freedom, resilience, and unwavering determination. For 250 years, generations of citizens, service members, first responders, and community leaders have carried forward the ideals upon which our nation was founded, preserving the freedoms we enjoy and passing them on to the next generation.
As we continue celebrating America’s 250th birthday, may we always honor our nation’s remarkable heritage by serving our communities, strengthening our republic, and remaining faithful stewards of the liberties entrusted to us. It is a privilege to serve you, and I remain committed to working on your behalf to help ensure the next chapter of our nation’s history is as strong and hopeful as the last.
Senator Lewis Renews Call for Passage of his Legacy Tax Credit Legislation as True Value Announces Headquarters Move to Indiana
Adding to a growing list of well-known Illinois employers that have chosen to leave the state, last week Do it Best Group announced that it will move True Value Hardware’s headquarters from Chicago to Fort Wayne, Indiana. True Value, a longtime Chicago-based hardware wholesaler, was acquired by Do it Best in 2024 after filing for bankruptcy.
The announcement marks the latest in a series of high-profile departures from Illinois. In recent years, major companies, including Caterpillar, Boeing, Morton Salt, and Citadel, have moved their headquarters out of the state, raising continued concerns about Illinois’ business climate and long-term economic competitiveness.
Following the announcement last week, I did an interview with Illinois Insider to discuss legislation I filed this year to help keep our long-term companies here in the State of Illinois. You can watch that clip in the video above.
My Senate Bill 3786 would create a Legacy Tax Credit for businesses headquartered in Illinois to encourage investment, job retention, and long-term economic growth.
Other bills I am championing this year to help improve the Illinois business climate include:
- Senate Bill 3873, which would make Illinois’ Research and Development Tax Credit permanent, giving employers more certainty as they invest in innovation and job creation.
- Senate Bill 3792, which would eliminate Illinois’ income tax on tips, allowing service industry workers to keep more of their hard-earned money.
Illinois should be a place where businesses want to grow and where families can build a future, and I am committed to providing workable legislative solutions to help us attain those goals.
Senator Lewis, Representative Grant to Co-Host FREE Electronics Recycling Event in Wheaton
It’s time to gather those electronics in need of environmentally-safe destruction, because on July 11 I am co-hosting a free event that will provide residents of the 24th District with the perfect opportunity to responsibly dispose of most old, non-functional, or unneeded electronics. Most importantly, it keeps these items out of our landfills.
Electronics Recycling Event
Saturday, July 11
10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Wheaton Park District Blanchard Building
1753 S. Blanchard Street
Wheaton, IL 60189
Click here to view a list of electronics that will be accepted at this event. Those who bring electronics to the event for recycling can remain in their vehicles as event volunteers unload items.
Other upcoming community outreach events in the 24th District include:
- July 14: ICASH/Unclaimed Property in Wood Dale
- July 30: Senior Resource Fair in Roselle
- August 5: ICASH/Unclaimed Property in Warrenville
- August 12: IPASS on Demand in Winfield
- August 15: Document Shredding & Food Collection Drive in Carol Stream
- August 20: Disability Resource & Job Placement Fair in Carol Stream
- August 29: Kids Safety Exp in Bloomingdale
You can learn more about these events on the Events page of my website. New events are added regularly, so please visit the site often to remain up to date on outreach events near you.
Several New Laws Took Effect on July 1
While most new laws in Illinois take effect on January 1, some measures are scheduled to align with the start of the state’s fiscal year on July 1. When the calendar turned to July 1 this year, 19 new laws took effect (18 from the 104th General Assembly and 1 from the 103rd General Assembly). Additionally, two other bills with January 1 effective dates included provisions for July 1 compliance. New laws with provisions that were effective July 1 include:
104th General Assembly
SB 90 (P.A. 104-0450): Expands who may request debt offsets through the Comptroller.
HB 111 (P.A. 104-0464): Fiscal Year 2027 Budget.
SB 408 (P.A. 104-0356): Provides that “Student Permanent Record” shall include a summary of performance for students who received special-education services. The records will be confidential.
SB 618 (P.A. 104-0451): Liquor Omnibus Bill. Among other things, it makes the state’s temporary “cocktails-to-go” law permanent.
HB 862 (P.A. 104-0465): Encourages efficiency by dissolving and merging numerous state special funds.
HB 1226 (P.A. 104-0169): Changes the age for when senior drivers must take a behind-the-wheel driving test when renewing their driver’s license.
SB 1504 (P.A. 104-0107): Helps ensure that all youth leaving the care of the Department of Children and Family Services have been provided the life skills necessary to become successful adults.
SB 1701 (P.A. 104-0118): Clarifies state laws with regard to collective bargaining for police.
SB 1799 (P.A. 104-0393): Amends the School Code to clarify terms and definitions with regard to “emergency situations.”
HB 1863 (P.A. 104-0435): Cleans up the statutes with regard to non-active commissions and advisory boards.
SB 2201 (P.A. 104-0412): Increases transparency to help provide better insight into the challenges and efforts within correctional facilities to manage contraband, support rehabilitation, and address health emergencies.
HB 2386 (P.A. 104-0216): Provides for the issuance of special license plates designated as “Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.”
HB 2517 (P.A. 104-0061): Requires health care workers who provide maternal health care services to participate in a training course that addresses potential maternal health risk factors associated with individuals who are part of a marginalized racial or ethnic group with increased maternal mortality rates.
HB 2801 (P.A. 104-0249): Requires the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to post a public form on its website for organizations to submit science, technology, engineering, arts, and math opportunities. These opportunities can include internships, externships, and volunteer work.
HB 2949 (P.A. 104-0466): Budget Implementation Bill.
HB 2962 (P.A. 104-0256): Creates a new classification of driving permit for multifunction school activity buses that carry up to 15 passengers, including the driver.
SB 3019 (P.A. 104-0468): Revenue Omnibus to Fund the Budget.
HB 3363 (P.A. 104-0300): Establishes a comprehensive State Public Defender system in Illinois and creates an independent agency within the judicial branch of state government.
SB 3365 (P.A. 104-0470): Medicaid Omnibus.
HB 3851 (P.A. 104-0338): Establishes that “cyber-bullying” also includes the posting or distribution of an unauthorized digital replica by electronic means if the posting or distribution creates any of the effects provided in the definition of “bullying,” and provides that bullying may take the form of posting or distributing sexually explicit images.
103rd General Assembly
SB 1 (P.A. 103-0594): Creates the Department of Early Childhood.
Senator Lewis: Out and About in the 24th District
I continue to spend a great deal of time out in the communities that comprise the 24th Senate District and am enjoying meeting people and having productive conversations about issues that are important to the people I serve.
In the photo collage above (L-R), I am shown congratulating RIM Logistics, Ltd. on the grand opening of its new facility in Bartlett. RIM is a valued partner, and I wish them continued success as they grow and invest in our communities! I also had an opportunity to attend and speak at the Wheaton Field of Honor, in remembrance of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller and his extraordinary sacrifice for our country. This year, State Rep. Amy Grant and I passed legislation that designates a portion of Roosevelt Road as the U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller Memorial Highway. I was proud to lead this effort in the Senate while Representative Grant carried it in the House. Finally, I am shown at the Mercy Housing Premier Partners Awards, where it was great to recognize the individuals and organizations making a difference by expanding access to safe, affordable housing.
Did You Know…
The City of Wheaton has a Senior Assistance Program that provides monthly financial assistance for eligible Wheaton seniors to help them remain in their homes? This program is sponsored by the City of Wheaton and the Commission on Aging.
Qualifying seniors must be at least 65 years old and must have lived in incorporated Wheaton for at least three years. The income threshold for participation is $33,950 or less, and the individual must live in the residence at least 10 months per year.
Qualifying homeowners receive $310 per month, and qualifying renters receive $290 per month. Click here to learn more about the program, and click here to access the application.
Lewis Shares SNAP Redetermination Information for Those Who Lost Benefits
With new federal work requirements now in effect for those who receive or received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, I wanted to share some information to help those who may have recently lost their benefits.
SNAP is a federally funded nutrition assistance program administered in Illinois by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Its primary purpose is to help low-income individuals and families afford nutritious food, reducing food insecurity and supporting healthier lives. Eligible participants receive monthly benefits on an Illinois Link card, which can be used like a debit card to purchase groceries at authorized retailers, farmers markets, and some online stores.
If you have recently lost SNAP benefits and would like to learn if you still qualify under the new federal requirements, I encourage you to visit the following links:
- https://ABE.illinois.gov– This is the Application for Benefit Eligibility website where people can manage their cases and complete redeterminations.
- https://link.illinois.gov– This website provides helpful information about link cards.
- https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=174038– This is the SNAP Federal Impact Center webpage. It provides information about federal changes to SNAP benefits, including information about the SNAP work requirement.