Senator Lewis Named Legislator of the Year by Ray Graham Association
Last week it was a privilege to be named “Legislator of the Year” by Ray Graham Association, a nonprofit that provides person-centered services for people with disabilities and their families. RGA was founded in 1950 and has become very well-known for dedicated service to help those in the intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) community reach their full potential through access to therapeutic programs, recreation, and family support resources. RGA also provides life-skills training and employment opportunities.
I have always been a vocal advocate for the IDD community in Illinois, and developed a first-of-its-kind Disability Resource & Job Placement Expo, which grows in popularity and attendance every year. When I voted in 2024 for Illinois’ Dignity in Pay Act, I pledged to collaborate with the IDD community and local businesses to ensure the success of the program. The Act requires Illinois employers to pay employees with disabilities no less than the state’s minimum wage by the end of 2029.
Lewis/Sanalitro Blood Drive Draws Large Crowd, ABC7’s Cheryl Scott
I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who joined State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro and me for our blood drive recently. With over 40 donations made, our community truly showed up to make a difference, and we’re grateful to everyone who helped save lives through the gift of blood donation!
I also want to thank the American Red Cross of Illinois for helping coordinate the event, and Cheryl Scott of ABC7 Chicago for showing up to show support to this important cause!
Senator Lewis Supports Love Purse Initiative for Domestic Violence Survivors
Domestic violence prevention and protection for victims is an issue that is very important to me. I would like to make you aware of an event in which I participate each year through the Love Purse organization.
This year during the month of October, my office will serve as a collection point for new purses filled with essential toiletries and handwritten notes of inspiration to support women in crisis, domestic violence survivors, and individuals facing homelessness. If you would like to participate, please drop off your donation at:
Senator Seth Lewis’ Office
994 W. Army Trail Road
Carol Stream, IL 60188
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Through this purse and toiletry drive, people can donate a new, inexpensive purse and fill it with full or travel sized personal care items. Providing these tangible essentials, along with handwritten letters of support, can help restore dignity and hope to women rebuilding their lives.
You can learn more about this wonderful program at: https://lovepurse.org/. If you have additional questions, please call my office at (630) 349-0645.
Lewis Highlights Domestic Violence Protections During Awareness Month
In addition to my support of the Love Purse project, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and I am renewing my call to pass legislation aimed at strengthening protections for victims, addressing repeat abuse, and holding offenders accountable.
According to the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 101 people died in domestic violence-related incidents across Illinois in 2025. The continued loss of life highlights the importance of preventing violence and protecting victims.
Earlier this year, I signed on as a co-sponsor of a package of four bills focused on 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 by requiring defendants to demonstrate that their release would not pose a threat to others. Senate Bill 3141 would encourage stronger minimum jail penalties for violations of protective orders, while Senate Bill 3142 would increase penalties for offenders with certain prior protective order violations. Finally, Senate Bill 3140 would increase the criminal penalties for violating an order of protection.
Together, the proposals seek to strengthen accountability, address repeat offenses, and give victims additional opportunities to seek safety, assistance, and other support services. Protecting victims of domestic violence must remain a priority throughout the year, not just during October, and that Illinois must continue working to prevent abuse from escalating into tragedy.
Senator Lewis Pushes to Strengthen Protections for Illinois Children
Several of my colleagues and I are renewing our efforts to advance several pieces of legislation aimed at protecting Illinois children from sexual exploitation, trafficking, grooming, and assault.
The three proposals address different gaps and concerns in Illinois law but share a common focus on strengthening protections for children and victims. I am a proud co-sponsor of all three bills in the package.
Recent allegations involving a Mundelein teacher and volleyball coach have renewed attention on Senate Bill 2381, which seeks to address sexually motivated unauthorized recordings of minors. Under current law, a conviction for unauthorized video recording of a minor does not by itself trigger sex offender registration. SB 2381 would make the offense registrable when the victim was under 18, the defendant was an adult, and a court determines the offense was sexually motivated.
We are also pushing Senate Bill 3094 to strengthen protections against child trafficking and grooming. This legislation would prohibit individuals charged with involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, trafficking in persons involving a victim under 18, or grooming from pleading down to lesser offenses. It would also create additional restrictions intended to keep convicted child sex offenders away from facilities providing entertainment exclusively for minors.
A third proposal focuses on sexual assault involving students. Senate Bill 939 would generally require a student determined to have initiated sexual assault or attempted sexual assault against another student to be expelled for at least one year when the offense occurs at school, a school-sponsored activity or event, or another activity or event reasonably related to school. The legislation contains procedures allowing the punishment to be modified under certain situations. The legislation was developed following reports involving students who were sexually assaulted but continued attending school with the students responsible for the assaults.
None of the three measures has yet passed both chambers of the General Assembly.
The proposals demonstrate areas where lawmakers can strengthen protections for children by closing gaps in existing law, imposing appropriate consequences for serious offenses, and ensuring victims and their safety remain at the center of the response. While the bills may address different situations, they all share the same goal of protecting children, standing with victims, and taking action before another family is forced to ask why more wasn’t done.
Lewis Announces Awarding of Tourism Grants in District 24
I am pleased to announce that $40,000 in tourism marketing grants are coming to two communities in the 24th District. Through the Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program, the state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will provide matching grants to assist in the promotion of tourism attractions, destinations, and events in Illinois. Grant funding will help tourism partners market their attractions and events to increase visitation by both business and leisure travelers in order to increase overnight stays in Illinois. The following matching grants have been awarded in the 24th District:
- Downtown Wheaton Association ($30,000 grant): The Downtown Wheaton Association will use grant funds for contractual costs (production, printing and shipping of Visitors Guide, production of TV commercial, website optimization, and SEO & GEO Optimization) and advertising costs (TV streaming campaign and digital/social media advertising campaign) in support of a comprehensive annual marketing plan.
- Naperville Heritage Society ($10,000 grant): The Naperville Heritage Society will use grant funds to help pay for an innovative fall destination campaign on behalf of Naper Settlement to position it as the anchor of a multi-day itinerary. Grant funds will specifically be used for Meta targeted advertising on Facebook and Instagram.
Senator Lewis: Out and About in the Community
I always enjoy visiting with constituents, touring local businesses, and participating in community celebrations. Recently, I had an opportunity to tour the Winfield Fire Protection District’s new station, and later that same day I joined in a ribbon cutting for the Carol Stream Park District’s grand re-opening of Appomattox Park. It’s always great to see investments that strengthen our communities and improve the quality of life for residents.
Submit Information for Veterans Day Wall of Honor Display by November 6
In recognition of the brave men and women who have served our nation, I am seeking entries for the 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.
I am 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.
October Marks Manufacturing Month
October is Manufacturing Month in Illinois, and as a degreed Manufacturing Engineer, I enjoy highlighting the manufacturing industry and the economic importance it has in our state.
According to the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA), manufacturing employs more than 660,000 men and women across Illinois and generates an annual economic impact of more than $580 billion.
Manufacturing remains a cornerstone of Illinois’ economy and continues to be an important source of jobs, investment and economic growth across the state.
As part of Manufacturing Month, the IMA and Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) have launched their annual “Makers on the Move” bus tour, which travels across Illinois to visit manufacturing facilities, educational institutions and community centers while highlighting the industry’s contributions to local communities and the state economy.
Now in its fifth year, the statewide tour will make 30 stops, beginning in Decatur.
To learn more about the “Makers on the Move” bus tour, click here.