Senator Lewis Speaks at GFWC Illinois Conference
It was my pleasure to speak to members of the Illinois chapter of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs during their recent statewide conference in Springfield. GFWC is a philanthropic organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.
These women do extraordinary work in our communities, and give graciously of their time and talents to help make Illinois a place where people want to live rather than leave. Most importantly, they recognize that citizenship is not passive and that a better future is not guaranteed, but is built by people willing to volunteer, lead, serve, and care.
GFWC’s dedication to serving others and strengthening our community is truly inspiring. Thank you for the opportunity to speak and learn more about this important work!
Youth Job Fair Set for March 18
Students and young adults aged 16-21 who want to jumpstart their careers or find summer work and internships are invited to attend a free Youth Job Fair that will be held in Bloomingdale on March 18.
Through the opportunities available at this job fair, students can gain valuable work experience that will help build confidence and look great on college applications, resumes, and future job applications.
Senator Lewis’ and Rep. Sanalitro’s Youth Job Fair
Wednesday, March 18
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Bloomingdale Park District
172 S. Circle Avenue, Bloomingdale
Several area businesses that are actively hiring for summer help, year-round employment, and/or internships will be under one roof for this high-impact hiring event. Business representatives will be able to build talent pipelines for entry-level positions and network with other businesses to boost visibility in the region.
Those who attend can sign up for free headshot photos and a resume review by a professional in the HR business. Click here to sign up for youth headshots and/or a resume review.
Additionally, from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, WorkNet DuPage will be holding a workshop titled “You’re More Hired Than You Think.” This interactive workshop helps high school students uncover the valuable skills they’ve already gained through volunteering, sports, clubs, part-time jobs, and everyday activities. Participants will learn how to identify, articulate, and apply these skills to college, vocational training, and future careers. They’ll also explore strategies for continued skill building, even in activities that aren’t directly related to their dream job, and gain practical tips for resumes, applications, and interviews. Participants will walk away confident, prepared, and ready to turn their everyday experiences into career power.
Those with questions about this job fair can contact Abby at amccarthy@sgop.ilga.gov, or call my legislative office at (630) 349-0645.
A Bipartisan Effort to Safeguard Energy Reliability and Affordability
I recently joined a bipartisan group of Illinois lawmakers to unveil a legislative package aimed at protecting energy affordability and reliability as Illinois moves more toward electrification. I introduced Senate Bill 3970, one of four bills included in this package. I am a co-sponsor of the other three bills in our package.
Illinois is already facing rising energy costs and growing concerns about grid stability. A recent state resource adequacy study warned of tightening capacity margins and potential reliability challenges in the coming years if infrastructure decisions are not carefully managed.
The package is designed to maintain Illinois’ existing energy infrastructure, prevent unnecessary cost burdens on families and small businesses, and protect vulnerable and low-income residents from higher utility bills.
The legislation includes:
- Senate Bill 3970 (Lewis) and Senate Bill 3979 (Cervantes), which require thorough studies and reviews of customer bill impacts before large-scale gas transition projects are approved.
- Senate Bill 3929 (Joyce), which extends closure dates set in CEJA for power plants by 10 additional years.
- Senate Bill 4028 (Bryant), which modernizes outdated interconnection rules that contribute to project delays and inconsistent upgrade costs.
Natural gas continues to play a critical role in Illinois’ energy system by providing reliable, on-demand power that stabilizes the grid during peak demand and extreme weather conditions. This bipartisan package seeks to promote balanced energy policy grounded in affordability, infrastructure readiness, and long-term grid stability.
Senator Lewis Co-Sponsors Legislation to Provide Relief for Homeowners
Affordability is a top issue I hear about when I speak with constituents across the 24th District. To address issues, I am happy to report that I am co-sponsoring a package of legislative solutions to help make buying and staying in a home more affordable in Illinois.
Last year, first-time home buyers dropped to a record low of 21 percent of total purchases, while the average age of first-time buyers climbed to an all-time high of 40 years old. This is likely due to the fact that the average home price in Illinois has increased by 37% over the last five years. At the same time, recent Census Bureau migration estimates show that nearly 7,500 Illinoisans moved from Illinois to Missouri, where the average property tax bill is less than half of the average bill in Illinois.
To address these affordability issues, our bill package includes the following measures:
- Senate Bill 3959: provides a $500 non-refundable tax credit for first-time homebuyers.
- Senate Bill 3781: makes the Illinois Property Tax Credit refundable when you file your Illinois income taxes.
- Senate Bill 3782: creates a task force to work on solutions to end Illinois’ antiquated property tax foreclosure system that the United States Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional. Under current law, delinquent property taxes are sold to investors, and families can lose not only their home but the equity they spent years building.
- Senate Bill 3849: adds the annual Consumer Price Index cost increases to Illinois’ General Homestead Exemption. By tying the exemption to inflation, homeowners could see immediate relief that better reflects the increased costs they are paying.
- Senate Bill 3848: createsan income tax deduction on the year-over-year increase in a taxpayer’s home insurance.
New Podcast Gives Listeners an Inside Look at Springfield
I’m proud to share that the Senate Republican Caucus has launched a new podcast called “Illinois Insider.” The podcast tackles Illinois’ most pressing issues and includes casual conversations with legislators who discuss topics and recommended solutions in an easy-to-understand way.
Shortly after the Governor’s budget address, I filmed a segment with our caucus’ chief budget negotiator, Senator Chapin Rose. Together, we broke down the Governor’s speech and shared our insights. Click here to watch that episode of Illinois Insider.
Lewis Pushes for Changes to the DCFS Safety Net
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is responsible for protecting this state’s most vulnerable young people, and I did an interview recently with CBS Chicago after an eight-year-old boy fell through the cracks and tragically died. Despite repeated red flags and reports of malnourishment and suspected abuse that were brought to the attention of DCFS, Markell Pierce was not receiving services from the agency at the time of his death. I was deeply concerned about a lack of transparency in this and other cases, and urged changes to the DCFS’s processes that allowed this child to be failed by a system that should have protected him.
When a child dies due to abuse or neglect, there must be accountability, and the individual(s) responsible must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Illinois has safety nets in place: mandatory reporters, DCFS investigators, school personnel, daycare providers, and law enforcement. The system is designed to catch warning signs, yet in this case, despite multiple reports and prior DCFS involvement, a child still slipped through the cracks, which demands a serious review.
Since recording the interview, I had a lengthy meeting with Heidi Mueller, Director of DCFS, and was pleased to hear about the steps that are being taken to strengthen the safety net and prevent tragedies like the one that befell Markell Pierce from ever happening again. Mueller, who has been at the helm of DCFS for two years, explained the agency’s investigative processes and the use of SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analyses, which help maximize advantages, address shortcomings, and develop strategies for optimal success. She also explained how two separate independent Boards of Review—the DCFS Inspector General and the multidisciplinary Child Death Review Team—review each case to ensure internal processes are effective and the agency is following best practices in child welfare.
I left that meeting with a heightened sense of confidence in the agency under Director Mueller’s leadership. Statewide data show that homicide deaths of youth in care have reduced by nearly 50% since Mueller took over as Director of DCFS, and during that time, more young people in DCFS care have been matched with permanent, loving homes than ever before. While one preventable death is obviously one too many, care of our most vulnerable young people is most certainly trending in the right direction.
Lewis Champions Legislation for Illinois Engineering Students, Addresses Workforce Gap
This year, I am a leading co-sponsor of legislation to support Illinois engineering students and help connect them to in-demand careers in the state’s workforce after graduation.
Senate Bill 3855 would create the Engineering Students of Illinois Scholarship Act to provide scholarships for engineering students attending an Illinois public university. In return, participating students would agree to work for the Illinois Department of Transportation for at least three years after graduation.
The proposal is designed to address a growing shortage in the engineering profession and help ensure Illinois has the skilled workforce needed to deliver critical infrastructure projects. The engineering industry contributes $20.7 billion annually to Illinois’ gross domestic product and supports more than 182,000 jobs statewide.
Illinois, like much of the nation, is experiencing an engineering workforce gap as experienced engineers retire and fewer graduates enter the profession to replace them. Recent national data shows that about 184,000 engineers retired or left the profession in recent years, while only 166,000 new graduates entered the workforce, resulting in an annual shortfall of roughly 18,000 engineers.
The bill has been introduced in the Illinois Senate and is currently awaiting committee assignment. If enacted, the Engineering Students of Illinois Scholarship Act would be administered through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission from July 1, 2027, through July 1, 2031.
Lewis Pushes Stronger Protections to Prevent School Sexual Assaults
Another bill I’m co-sponsoring this year would strengthen protections for students and ensure tougher consequences for sexual assault in schools.
Senate Bill 2991 would require a student who commits sexual assault or attempted sexual assault to be expelled for at least one year if the incident occurs at school, during a school-sponsored activity or event, or at any activity that has a reasonable relationship to school.
Supporters say the legislation is needed to better protect victims and hold offenders accountable. The proposal follows a troubling case in Illinois in which a young girl was sexually assaulted at school, yet the attacker was neither suspended nor expelled, despite admitting to the offense. According to the victim’s parents, they were forced to repeatedly seek court-issued orders of protection to keep their daughter safe.
The measure would align school responses to sexual assault with existing Illinois laws regarding weapons in schools. Under current statutes, students who bring a deadly weapon to school are subject to a mandatory one-year expulsion.
Senator Lewis Meets with Recreational Group in Springfield
Last week, I had a productive meeting with members of the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance during the group’s Lobby Day. It was great connecting with students, teachers, and constituents who are passionate about promoting health, wellness, and physical education in our schools and communities. We had a wonderful exchange of ideas, and I appreciated the opportunity to learn about their legislative priorities.
Senator Lewis Supports Tax Credit to Help Small Employers Make Health Benefits More Affordable
I am supporting legislation this year that would help small businesses make employee health coverage more affordable by creating a new tax credit for employers that offer Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs).
Senate Bill 3619 is an initiative of the Small Business Advocacy Council. The legislation would establish a tax credit for small businesses that choose to provide HRAs. An HRA is a tool that can help employers reimburse employees for qualified health care expenses and, in some cases, individual health insurance premiums. Supporters say the measure would give small employers another flexible, cost-effective option to offer benefits and stay competitive when trying to attract and retain workers.
While HRAs may not be the right fit for every business, expanding access to benefit options is critical for job creators facing rising costs. SB 3619 is designed to ease the financial burden of providing health benefits and ensure small businesses have more tools to compete