“It’s time to gather those electronics in need of environmentally-safe destruction,” said Lewis. “This free event will provide our constituents with the perfect opportunity to responsibly dispose of most old, non-functional, or unneeded electronics. Most important, 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

Items accepted at this event include:

• Cellphones
• Computers
• Computer Keyboards
• Computer Monitors
• Computer Mouses
• Printers
• Digital Converter Boxes
• DVD Players
• Satellite Receivers
• Fax Machines
• Portable Digital Music Players
• Digital Video Disc Recorders
• Scanners
• Small Servers
• Televisions
• Video Cassette Recorders
• Video Game Consoles

Those who bring electronics to the event for recycling can remain in their vehicles as event volunteers unload items. For additional information about this event, please contact Senator Lewis’ office at (630) 349-0645 or contact Abby at amccarthy@sgop.ilga.gov.

The post Senator Lewis, Representative Grant to Partner on FREE Electronics Recycling Event in Wheaton appeared first on Senator Lewis.

The Illinois Insider podcast is gaining in popularity because it is a no-nonsense discussion of activity under the Capitol dome in Springfield. The week after the budget was passed I had an opportunity to talk with host Mark Hespen to break down the budget that was passed in the overnight hours of May 31 and June 1.

If you have not subscribed to this podcast I would encourage you to do so. Here are the links to check out the interviews and clips for yourself.

Instagram

Facebook

Illinois Insider (@TheILInsider) / X

Illinois Insider – YouTube

Illinois Insider (@illinois.insider) | TikTok

Senior Expo Set for June 24 in Wheaton

My staff and I are putting the finishing touches on a Senior Expo that will take place this Wednesday, June 24 in Wheaton. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. In addition to the over 70 vendors, who all cater to the needs of older Illinoisans, non-perishable food and toiletry items will be collected and delivered to the Milton Township Food Pantry. Click here to view the list of event participants (subject to change) and click here to view a list of needed items for the pantry.

• June 24: Senior Expo in Wheaton
• July 11: Electronics Recycling in Wheaton
• 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.

Lewis Supports Safeguards to Help Keep Children Safe Online

In the early hours of June 1, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation designed to strengthen online protection for children and provide parents with additional tools to help keep their families safe in the digital age. I was proud to support this important legislation.

House Bill 5511, known as the Children’s Online Safety Act, establishes new safeguards for minors on social media platforms, including enhanced privacy protections, expanded parental controls, and restrictions on certain interactions between minors and adults.

The bill addresses growing concerns about online safety and the impact social media and technology can have on young people. The measure is intended to give families additional resources to navigate an increasingly digital world while helping protect children from harmful online interactions.

Lewis Secures Critical Funding for Fire/EMS Small Equipment Grants for 24^th District

The Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal recently announced the recipients of its 2026 Small Equipment Grant Program, awarding $6 million to 260 fire departments, fire protection districts, and EMS providers across Illinois. Of this total, I am pleased to report that $129,271.97 is headed toward agencies in the 24^th Senate District.

The grants, which provide up to $26,000 per recipient, help first responders purchase essential firefighting and ambulance equipment that may otherwise be difficult to fund through local budgets. Awards in this area include:

• Bartlett Fire Protection District: $17,645.97
• West Chicago Fire Protection District: $15,975
• Wood Dale Fire Protection District #1: $20,000
• Bensenville Fire Protection District #2: $26,000
• Addison Fire Protection District: $24,835
• Carol Stream Fire District: $24,816

Lewis: Out and About in the 24^th District

Now that we are back in our home districts, I have been spending a lot of time meeting with constituents about issues that are important to them, presenting congratulatory certificates and resolutions, speaking to business and other groups, and having a presence at community events.

In the collage above, I am shown (L-R) with State Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro as we present Itasca School District 10 Superintendent Craig Benes with a congratulatory resolution on his upcoming retirement, at a Multi-Chamber of Commerce End of Session Recap Breakfast that included members from the Bloomingdale, Roselle, Bartlett and Carol Stream Chambers, and at the Warrenville Park District Multicultural Festival. Over the last few weeks, I also met with NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) DuPage, with the Roselle Fire Protection District, and toured Oakwood Park in Winfield.

Lewis Supports Consumer Protections for Ticket Buyers

As we wrapped up the spring 2026 legislative session, we also approved two measures aimed at strengthening consumer protections in the online ticket sales and resale market. I was pleased to support both bills.

Senate Bill 318 creates the Prohibition on Bots Purchasing Tickets Act, which targets the use of automated software, commonly known as “bots,” to purchase event tickets online. The legislation prohibits the use of bots or other automated programs that replicate human activity to buy more tickets than the posted purchase limits allow.

House Bill 4984 updates the state’s ticket resale laws by addressing a growing concern in the online ticket marketplace known as “ghost ticketing.” Under this bill, a seller would be prohibited from offering or selling a ticket they do not actually own or have in their possession.

The aim of both bills is to reduce fraud, prevent misleading resale practices, improve transparency in ticket availability, and give Illinois consumers greater confidence when purchasing tickets online.

SB 318 and HB 4984 should be signed into law this summer.

Revised Senior Driving Law Among New Laws Taking Effect 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.

Among the new laws taking effect is House Bill 1226, a long-overdue measure aimed at ending an unfair and discriminatory requirement placed on senior drivers.

Under current law, Illinois drivers aged 79 and older are required to take a behind-the-wheel driving test when renewing their driver’s license. House Bill 1226 raises that age threshold to 87, ensuring that older drivers are not automatically subjected to additional testing based solely on age.

Senate Republicans have long argued that age alone should not determine whether a driver is required to take an additional road test. Instead, the focus should be on a person’s actual ability to safely operate a vehicle.

The new law also creates a process allowing immediate family members to request that the Secretary of State’s Office review a driver if they have observed cognitive or medical concerns that could affect the person’s ability to drive safely, regardless of age. If a report is found credible, the driver may be required to complete written, vision, and behind-the-wheel testing to maintain their license.

House Bill 1226 was signed into law on August 15, 2025, and will officially take effect on July 1, 2026.

Senator Lewis Supports Creation of Department of Early Childhood

Beginning July 1, the Illinois Department of Early Childhood is set to become fully operational, marking the next phase in the state’s effort to consolidate early childhood programs and services under one agency. I was proud to support this important legislation when it came before the Senate.

The department was created in 2024 through Senate Bill 1, also known as the Department of Early Childhood Act. Under the transition, the new department will take over several programs that were previously housed across three separate state agencies: the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Those responsibilities include the Early Childhood Block Grant at ISBE, which funds Preschool for All and Prevention Initiative programs; the Child Care Assistance Program, home-visiting programs and Early Intervention services currently at IDHS; and day care licensing, which has been managed by DCFS.

The department began operating in a limited capacity in 2024, while existing agencies continued administering programs during the transition. The full transfer of programs is scheduled to take effect with the start of fiscal year 2027 on July 1.

County Fairs Kick Off Across Illinois

Across Illinois, communities are gearing up for one of the state’s favorite summer traditions as county fairs prepare to showcase local agriculture, small businesses, entertainment, and the people who help drive Illinois’ rural economy.

With more than 100 county fairs held across the state each year, fairgrounds are set to come alive with livestock shows, carnival rides, food vendors, grandstand events, and opportunities for families to celebrate the best of Illinois agriculture.

For more information on your local 2026 County Fair Schedule visit Illinois Department of Agriculture 2026 County Fair Schedule.

The post Senator Seth Lewis’ Capitol Report appeared first on Senator Lewis.

Lewis-Grant Senior Expo
Wednesday, June 24
9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Jack T. Knuepfer Administration Building (Auditorium)
421 N. County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL  60187

“We are bringing together more than 70 agencies and organizations that specialize in the needs of seniors, and attendees will be able to collect useful information and learn about available resources while visiting the booths,” said Lewis. “We will also be offering free blood pressure checks and fall risk assessments, so I would encourage all seniors and their families and caregivers to stop by this event.”

Participants in this senior expo include (subject to change) 2Better Health Chiropractic, A&A Insurance Financial Services, Advocate Health Advisors, Aetna, Aetna Better Health of Illinois, AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois, AgeOptions, AIM Center for Independent Living, Alden Gardens of Bloomingdale, Alzheimer’s Association, Arthritis Foundation, BoomerCare Health Solutions, BrightStar, Cancer Wellness Center, Capitol Hospice, Citizens Utility Board, Clear Captains, Comfort Keepers, Devoted Health, DuPage Care Center, DuPage County Community Services, DuPage County Health Department, DuPage County Recorder, DuPage County Senior Citizens Council, DuPage County Sheriff, DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, DuPage County Veterans Assistance Commission, DuPage Health Coalition, Edward Hines V.A. Hospital, Essence Healthcare, Gift of Hope, Harmony Care Home Services, Help at Home, Heart to Home Meals, H.O.M.E. DuPage, Hultgren Funeral Home, Humana, Ignite Medical Resorts, IL Dept. of Veterans Affairs, IL Retina Associates, IL Secretary of State Organ Donor, IL Tollway, Juice Plus, Keller Williams, Living Well Cancer Resources, Mary Lubko Center- Wheaton Park District, Meridian Health, Milton Township, My Angel Homecare, N.A.M.I. DuPage, Nicor Gas, Oak Street Health, Office of the IL Attorney General, Office of the IL Comptroller, Office of the IL Secretary of State, Office of the IL Treasurer, PACE, Polcyn Law LLC, RTA, Senior Solutions, Synapse House, Trusted Insurance Option, Twin Oaks Holdings LLC, University of Illinois Extension, Wheaton Fire Department, Wheaton Police Department, Wheaton Public Library, Wheaton Village Nursing & Rehab, and YWCA Metropolitan Chicago.

For more information about this comprehensive event, please contact Senator Lewis’ office at 630-349-0645 or email Julie at jlmceinc@aol.com.

The post Senator Seth Lewis and Representative Amy Grant to Host Senior Expo on June 24 in Wheaton appeared first on Senator Lewis.

I was hopeful when I learned a simplified proposal would be coming forward in the final hours of session that would aim to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois.

From the very beginning, I was clear that I wanted the Chicago Bears to stay in Illinois, but that I would not support a proposal that could lead to tax increases for Illinoisans. Unfortunately, the proposal that was brought before the Senate included a provision that would allow a locally created stadium authority to issue bonds that would be paid for by taxpayers.

The measure ended up passing in the Senate, but it was not called for a vote in the House.

On Friday, the Chicago Bears organization announced it will advance its stadium development in Hammond, Indiana. Upon learning the news, I issued the following statement:

“Today’s announcement that the Chicago Bears will advance their stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana is very disappointing, but I cannot say I am surprised. The level of dysfunction in Springfield and total lack of engagement by Governor JB Pritzker on this issue during the final weeks and days of session did not show the Bears organization any sense of urgency or desire that lawmakers want to keep one of this state’s top economic engines in Illinois. I can only hope this is not the end of the line for Illinois’ chance to keep the Bears, and that our conversations can continue.

“During this process we saw a complete lack of leadership by the Governor, and if the Bears do indeed move to Indiana, it is a devastating loss, both economically and emotionally, that the Governor will own.”

Lewis Votes Against Budget that Fails to Deliver Property Tax Relief

On the final day of the spring legislative session, the majority party pushed through a $56 billion budget for the fiscal year that will begin on July 1. The budget represents yet another record-high spending plan for the State of Illinois. The new budget includes $800 million in new taxes and fees.

Prior to the filing of the final budget language, I participated in a Capitol press conference with the other Senate Republican budgeteers. During the conference, we outlined our priorities, and I specifically spoke about the lack of transparency with the final several hundred pages of the budget, which outlined billions in spending that was not included in the budget document filed a few weeks ago.

For the reasons outlined in my speech, I voted against the budget.

Following the budget’s adoption, I issued the following press statement:

“While there are certainly parts of this budget that I can support, I cannot support a process where hundreds of pages authorizing billions of dollars in spending are released with little time for lawmakers or the public to review. The people of Illinois deserve a budget process that is transparent, responsible, and deliberate. Taxpayers have every right to know how their hard-earned dollars are being spent before a vote is taken, not after the fact.

“This budget does not reflect a vision of growth or excellence for the State of Illinois. If we are going to make Illinois a place people want to live rather than leave, then we need a budget that prioritizes long-term economic competitiveness, fiscal responsibility, and policies that actually strengthen families, create opportunity, and restore confidence in our state’s future.”

Lewis Helps Stop Elimination of Blue Collar Jobs Act

One important victory of the legislative session is the halting of efforts to eliminate Illinois’ Blue Collar Jobs Act and further restrict the properly planned construction of data centers. I have been vocal with my support of the Blue Collar Jobs Act, which was the product of bipartisan negotiations and has led to the creation of thousands of good-paying jobs that help pay mortgages and put food on Illinoisans’ tables. Eliminating it would have been short-sighted, and in a recent guest editorial in Crain’s Chicago Business, I stated that protecting it should be part of Governor Pritzker’s economic agenda.

If you’re having trouble reading the newspaper clip, click here to read the posting from my website.

Summer Events Kick Off with IPASS on Demand in Elk Grove Village on June 11

Summer is here, and with the abundance of sunshine comes a comprehensive list of outreach events I am hosting throughout the 24^th District. Please mark your calendars now for these upcoming events:

• June 11: IPASS on Demand in Elk Grove Village
• June 24: Senior Resource Fair in Wheaton
• July 11: Electronics Recycling in Wheaton
• 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.

Senator Lewis Grills Controversial Secretary of DHS Appointee

Recently, when the Illinois Senate considered the appointment of Dulce Quintero as Secretary of the Department of Human Services (DHS), I joined several of my colleagues in voicing concerns about accountability and transparency within the agency.

During committee hearings, Quintero was questioned on several ongoing issues facing DHS, including multiple data breaches, treatment of individuals in county jails, and Illinois’ high Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) error rate. Lawmakers noted the SNAP error rate could potentially cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars if corrective actions are not taken.

I specifically expressed frustration that information requested during committee hearings had not been provided more than two months later. Questions also included how a Medicaid-related data breach was discovered, what safeguards have been implemented to prevent future breaches, and how long individuals in county jails are waiting to receive DHS treatment services. The director was also questioned about an ongoing issue with the department sending voter registration applications to individuals who are not citizens.

The confirmation process is intended to ensure agency leaders are prepared to answer questions and provide transparency to the public and lawmakers, and I remain very concerned about whether DHS is adequately addressing operational and oversight issues affecting vulnerable residents and taxpayers.

IDFPR Launches New Online Portal for Consumer Financial Complaints

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has launched a new online portal to make it easier for Illinois consumers to file financial complaints amid rising nationwide caseloads.

The new portal makes it simpler to file complaints with the addition of both the Division of Banking (DOB) and the Division of Financial Institutions (DFI). These divisions oversee and regulate credit unions, state banks, debt collectors, pawnbrokers, and other financial institutions. Consumer complaints are rising in Illinois and the nation. In 2025, Illinoisans filed 244,000 complaints through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, up 120,000 from 2024.

Improving access to these resources can help strengthen accountability and ensure Illinois residents have greater confidence when dealing with financial institutions. To see the list of regulated financial institutions or to file a complaint, visit the complaint webpage and follow the instructions provided.

Lewis Welcomes Consul General of Moldova to Illinois Senate

Near the end of the spring legislation session, I had the honor of welcoming the Consul General of the Republic of Moldova for the Midwest Region, Anton Lungu, and his wife, Elena, to the Senate floor.

This year marks a very special milestone for Moldova as the nation celebrates the 35th anniversary of its independence. Since declaring independence, Moldova has continued to build its democratic institutions, preserve its rich cultural traditions, and strengthen its ties with nations around the world, including the United States.

Illinois is home to tens of thousands of residents of Moldovan heritage, including a vibrant community of more than 30,000 people throughout the Chicagoland area. Their contributions to business, education, healthcare, faith communities, and civic life strengthen the fabric of our state each and every day.

Nominations Open for 2026 Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame

The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is encouraging Illinoisans to nominate older adults who have made lasting contributions to their communities for the 2026 Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame.

IDoA is accepting nominations through June 1 for the annual recognition, which honors older adults who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in the arts, sports and entertainment, community service, education, or the labor force. Each year, four Illinoisans are selected for induction into the Hall of Fame.

To qualify, nominees must be at least 65 years old at the time of nomination and either currently reside in Illinois or have lived in the state for most of their lives. Individuals who nominate selected inductees are expected to participate in an award ceremony. Recognizing the honorees and celebrating their accomplishments.

Completed nomination forms may be submitted electronically, by mail, fax, or email. Additional information, including nomination materials and past inductees, is available through the Department on Aging’s website.

The post Senator Seth Lewis’ Capitol Report appeared first on Senator Lewis.

“The Tollway is transitioning away from plastic transponders and is replacing them with new sticker technology,” said Lewis. “Rather than having our constituents complete this transaction at a location where there may be a fee, we are bringing a mobile team into the 24^th District for quick, easy, and free service.”

Officials from the Illinois Tollway will be on hand to help people transfer over to the new sticker technology and ensure people can make the switch without disruption to their IPASS account activity. Along with providing this service, the tollway officials can help people with questions they may have about their IPASS account and with “Pay by Plate” issues. Please note that those who attend should bring their plastic transponders with them and jot down their license plate number to ensure quick service.

IPASS on Demand
Thursday, June 11
3:00 – 6:00 PM
Elk Grove Village Library
1001 Wellington Avenue
Elk Grove Village, IL  60007

Once activated, the sticker tag can be used on the Illinois tollway and on E-Z Pass roadways in other states within 24 hours of activation. There is no deposit required for the sticker and the $10 transponder deposit that was paid when a transponder was purchased will be transferred to the new account when it is activated. Balances on current transponders will also be transferred over to the sticker account.

“These events provide easy access for my constituents to make the switch,” added Lewis. “I would encourage motorists who have not yet made the switch to attend.”

For additional information about this event, please contact Abby at amccarthy@sgop.ilga.gov.

The post Senator Lewis. Rep. Sanalitro to Co-Host IPASS on Demand Event in Elk Grove Village on June 11 appeared first on Senator Lewis.

“Today’s announcement that the Chicago Bears will advance their stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana is very disappointing, but I cannot say I am surprised. The level of dysfunction in Springfield and total lack of engagement by Governor JB Pritzker on this issue during the final weeks and days of session did not show the Bears organization any sense of urgency or desire that lawmakers want to keep one of this state’s top economic engines in Illinois. I can only hope this is not the end of the line for Illinois’ chance to keep the Bears, and that our conversations can continue.

“During this process, we saw a complete lack of leadership by the Governor, and if the Bears do indeed move to Indiana, it is a devastating loss, both economically and emotionally, that the Governor will own.”

The post Senator Lewis Reacts to Bears’ Announcement Regarding Advancing Stadium Development in Hammond, Indiana appeared first on Senator Lewis.

“The lack of transparency with the final budget process is disappointing. Good government does not fear scrutiny. In fact, good government embraces scrutiny because scrutiny and transparency help build public trust.

“While there are certainly parts of this budget that I can support, I cannot support a process where hundreds of pages authorizing billions of dollars in spending are released with little time for lawmakers or the public to review. The people of Illinois deserve a budget process that is transparent, responsible, and deliberate. Taxpayers have every right to know how their hard-earned dollars are being spent before a vote is taken, not after the fact.

“This budget does not reflect a vision of growth or excellence for the State of Illinois. If we are going to make Illinois a place people want to live rather than leave, then we need a budget that prioritizes long-term economic competitiveness, fiscal responsibility, and policies that actually strengthen families, create opportunity, and restore confidence in our state’s future.”

The post Senator Lewis Reacts to Passage of FY 2027 Budget appeared first on Senator Lewis.

State Senator Seth Lewis (R-Bartlett) was joined by Senators Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles), Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet), and Sally Turner (R-Beason) to push back on new revenue proposals being floated to fund record-high state spending and to call for a budget that isn’t balanced on the backs of taxpayers.

DeWitte, now in his eighth budget cycle, said the process is following a familiar pattern.

“We appreciate having a seat at the table, but experience has taught us that as the clock winds down, just like a round of musical chairs, those seats tend to disappear,” DeWitte said. “By the time the real budget shows up, it is usually the middle of the night on May 31, and lawmakers are being asked to vote on thousands of pages they have barely had time to open.”

As the clock continues to tick down and a budget has yet to emerge, Senate Republicans warn that the lack of transparency undermines public confidence in the entire process.

“Families and small businesses in Illinois don’t make major financial decisions in the middle of the night with minutes to review the details. State government shouldn’t either,” Lewis said. “Regardless of party affiliation, the people of this state deserve a fiscally responsible and sustainable budget that brings relief to taxpayers.”

What has been floated are new tax hike proposals, including a new digital advertising tax, and the elimination of parts of the Blue Collar Jobs Act and sales tax incentives for biodiesel and renewable diesel.

“Unfortunately, what we are seeing right now is continued spending growth followed by discussions about how to tax people even more to pay for it,” said Sally Turner. “Instead of making Illinois more competitive, these proposals move Illinois in the opposite direction, hurting farmers, small businesses and taxpayers alike.”

Senator Chapin Rose said the late-night budget drop has become an annual tradition that working families pay for every time.

“The Governor’s budget was already about $900 million out of balance when he proposed it. That is not a rounding error,” Rose said. “While most of the state is asleep, the real budget drops, 3,000 pages or so, about an hour before we are expected to vote. We may not even know about all the new taxes, fees, and transfers until after the vote is taken.”

After eight years under Governor Pritzker, Illinois families face one of the highest overall tax burdens in the country, and the state is tied for the worst unemployment rate in the Midwest.

“Families are already stretched. Businesses are already leaving,” Rose said. “And in just a few days, in the middle of the night, it is going to get a little worse, just like it does every May.”

###

Watch the press conference here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sLZ3kryoH8

The post Senate Republican Budgeteers Warn of Another Late-Night Budget Drop, Push for Relief for Taxpayers appeared first on Senator Lewis.

Full Text:

Few states possess the embedded advantages Illinois does: unmatched road, rail, and river infrastructure, global air transportation, world-class universities, fertile farmland, and one of the nation’s largest economic hubs in Chicago. We sit at the center of America’s economy and have every ingredient necessary to lead the Midwest in growth, innovation, manufacturing, logistics, and investment.

So why does Illinois continue to lag behind neighboring states?

Ensuring our state’s success requires strong and steady leadership from the top. To his credit, Governor JB Pritzker has supported several important economic development initiatives and has demonstrated a willingness to pursue large-scale investment opportunities. Those efforts matter. But Illinois still needs a clearer and more unified long-term growth strategy — one that brings leaders together around the shared goal of making Illinois the economic powerhouse it should be.

We need stronger leadership from the Governor to protect the economic tools that help create jobs and attract investment. Especially as the progressive socialist wing of the Democratic Party continues to push a narrative that economic growth equals corporate greed, we need our Governor to boldly and decisively push back against efforts to eliminate or weaken tools that have helped create thousands of jobs and attract billions in investment.

Consider the Blue Collar Jobs Act of 2019. The law was the product of bipartisan negotiations and a shared recognition that Illinois must modernize its approach to job creation and capital investment. At a time when cooperation is rare in Springfield, it demonstrated that common ground is still possible when the focus is on people and not politics.

Efforts to repeal the Blue Collar Jobs Act, as called for in Senate Bill 3796, would undermine that progress. This Act helps create good-paying construction jobs that help families pay mortgages, put food on the table, and build long-term financial stability. It has sustained thousands of workers across Illinois by encouraging development that keeps skilled tradespeople employed and local economies moving.

The Governor should make preservation of the Blue Collar Jobs Act a central part of his economic agenda and push back against efforts by those within his own party who portray economic growth as inherently negative.

The same is true for data centers. When structured responsibly, these projects bring billions in private investment, create high-quality jobs, expand local tax bases, and can provide meaningful property tax relief to communities. Yet some lawmakers would rather block those opportunities than compete for them.

Illinois must also compete for transformational projects, including the future of the Chicago Bears. A modern stadium and surrounding development would generate billions in investment, create thousands of jobs, expand tourism, and drive long-term economic growth. While Illinois Democrats continue to squabble and fail to produce a coherent plan to keep the team, Indiana has aggressively positioned itself to attract it. Keeping the Bears in Illinois will require the Governor to lead his own party toward a workable plan before the State of Indiana closes the deal.

Illinois cannot afford to move backward. A real economic agenda would focus on growth. It would create jobs, protect job creators from punitive tax increases, expand workforce development, streamline regulations, accelerate infrastructure investment, and aggressively pursue transformative projects that generate long-term prosperity.

Illinois has every advantage necessary to succeed, and Republicans want to be partners in its success. The only question is whether our state’s top leadership is willing to pursue an economic vision bold enough to match this state’s extraordinary potential.

###

The post OPINION: Illinois has all the advantages to make it an economic leader, not a laggard appeared first on Senator Lewis.

Senator Lewis received the award during the organization’s annual Furever Friends Gala held recently in Oak Brook. The honor follows Lewis earning a perfect 100% score on the group’s last two legislative scorecards, reflecting his support for every animal welfare measure scored during the four-year review period.

“I am truly honored to receive this recognition from DuPage Animal Friends,” said Lewis. “Protecting animals from cruelty and exploitation is something that should bring people together, regardless of political affiliation. Illinois has made meaningful progress in strengthening animal welfare laws, and I am proud to have supported those efforts.”

Among the legislative initiatives supported by Lewis were measures to prohibit pet insurance discrimination based on dog breed, ban surgical declawing of cats, crack down on puppy mills, prohibit toxicity testing on dogs and cats when not required by law, and strengthen penalties and restrictions for individuals convicted of animal cruelty offenses.

Lewis also supported legislation preventing predatory financing practices involving pets, expanding protections under Illinois’ Ivory Ban Act, restricting direct human contact with bears and primates, and tightening the legal definition of “dog dealer” to better regulate commercial animal sales.

“Animals deserve humane treatment and responsible protections under the law,” Lewis said. “Whether it’s preventing abuse, improving standards of care, or holding bad actors accountable, these policies reflect basic compassion and common sense.”

The recent award is not the first time Lewis has been recognized for his work on animal welfare issues. In 2021, he received the organization’s “Humane Legislator Award” for his support and sponsorship of animal protection legislation.

“I appreciate the advocacy and partnership of organizations like DuPage Animal Friends that work every day to promote responsible animal welfare policies,” Lewis added. “I look forward to continuing that work in the Illinois Senate.”

The post Senator Seth Lewis Named “Legislator of the Year” by DuPage Animal Friends appeared first on Senator Lewis.