Lewis Legacy Tax Credit Bill Included in Legislative Package to Support Small Businesses and Workers
I recently participated in a press conference where two of my colleagues and I introduced a legislative package aimed at supporting small businesses, providing relief to workers, and improving Illinois’ economic competitiveness.
Our proposals come as Illinois continues to face economic challenges, including projected population loss, slow job growth, and rising costs for employers and families.
Illinois must take steps to become a more competitive and business-friendly state. The legislative package includes several proposals designed to reduce costs and support economic growth. The bill package includes the following measures:
Senate Bill 3786 (Lewis) would create a Legacy Tax Credit for businesses headquartered in Illinois, rewarding companies for long-term investment and job creation.
Senate Bill 3792 (Wilcox) would eliminate Illinois’ income tax on tipped wages, allowing workers to keep more of what they earn.
Senate Bill 137 (Wilcox) would increase the retailer’s discount for small businesses, helping offset the cost of collecting and remitting sales taxes to the State of Illinois.
Senate Bill 2763 (Syverson) would allow individuals and small business owners to deduct health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket medical expenses from their state taxes.
The package is designed to help businesses remain in Illinois, support workers, and strengthen the state’s economy.
Senator Lewis Promotes Pro-Jobs Package on “Illinois Insider” Podcast
Following our press conference, where we introduced our pro-jobs, pro-employee bill package, Senator Craig Wilcox and I sat down with Illinois Insider host Mark Hespin to discuss the bills and how they would work together to strengthen Illinois’ economic competitiveness while rewarding businesses that have chosen Illinois as their headquarters and have stayed here.
You can click on the image above to watch the podcast.
Appointments Filling Up for April 22 Mobile DMV Event in Wheaton
Thank you to everyone who attended the Mobile DMV event I hosted recently in Wheaton. Due to the popularity of these events, I am hosting another mobile DMV event in Wheaton on Wednesday, April 22. For the event, the Secretary of State’s Mobile Driver Services team will be at Wheaton City Hall from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Appointment slots are filling up fast, but there are still about 10 appointments available. Registration is required for this event and all appointments are expected to be filled.
Available services at this April 22 event include:
- REAL I.D.
- Driver’s License/State I.D. Cards (renewal, replacement, corrections)
- Free State I.D.s for seniors age 65+
- License Plate Renewal Stickers
- Organ/Tissue Donor Registration
- Motor Vehicle Registration
- Seniors Aged 65+ Free State I.D. Cards
Those wanting to secure an appointment should call my office at (630) 349-0645 or email my office at constituentservices@senatorlewis.com as soon as possible. Additionally, before coming to the event, attendees are asked to visit the official website for the Illinois Secretary of State to learn about identification requirements for specific services. This is especially important for those seeking a REAL I.D. You must have the proper documents with you if you want to complete a REAL I.D. transaction.
Please note that seniors aged 78+ must visit an established Secretary of State Driver Services facility to renew a driver’s license. Payments for services must be made by check, credit card, debit card, or money order. No cash will be accepted. For additional information or help with pre-registration, please call my office.
Illinois Completes Statewide Upgrade to Next Generation 911 System
The Illinois State Police has announced that all 169 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) across Illinois have successfully transitioned to Next Generation 911 (NG911), marking a significant modernization of the state’s emergency response infrastructure.
NG911 replaces the outdated, voice-based system with a secure, internet-based network that allows 911 calls to be routed based on a caller’s precise location rather than the nearest cell tower. This improvement helps reduce delays by ensuring callers are connected directly to the appropriate emergency responders without the need for transfers between dispatch centers.
The upgraded system also enhances reliability. In the event of widespread emergencies such as severe storms or tornadoes, calls can be automatically rerouted to other 911 centers across the state, ensuring uninterrupted service for those in need.
In addition, NG911 strengthens Text-to-911 capabilities, improving access for individuals who are unable to make voice calls. The system is also designed to support future advancements, including the potential for sharing photos and video with first responders during emergency situations.
This transition reflects years of coordination and investment and will provide faster, more reliable, and more accessible emergency services for communities throughout Illinois.
Lewis, Sanalitro Meet with DuPage Mayors & Managers Conference to Discuss Pending Bills that Negatively Affect Local Control
On Thursday, State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro and I met with several members of the DuPage Mayors & Managers Conference (DMMC) to discuss legislation pending in Springfield that would negatively affect suburban communities and all of Illinois.
Many of the attending mayors expressed concerns stemming from Governor Pritzker’s Building Up Illinois Developments (BUILD) Plan, which severely handicaps local control over important zoning issues, and his ongoing cuts to the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF).
LGDF funds are used by municipalities to fund essential services, yet these vital funds are constantly under attack. Similarly, the BUILD Act would take local control away from our leaders. It would extend failed policies from Chicago statewide, and I don’t think anyone wants Brandon Johnson to have control over our cities and villages. We need to allow our local officials to have local control to decide what the residents need and want in their communities.
In addition to local control issues, the group also discussed pending legislation that would increase pension obligations and issues related to public transit.
Advocacy Groups Meet with Senator Lewis at State Capitol
Our last week in Springfield was incredibly busy and the halls were buzzing with advocacy groups that were in town to share their legislative agendas and priorities with lawmakers. In between committee hearings and floor action in the Senate, I took time to meet with several groups.
In the collage above (L-R) I am seen with representatives from the University of Illinois Extension program and Illinois 4-H to discuss the value of agriculture and STEM education, students from Future Farmers of America (FFA) in town for Agriculture Day in Illinois, and representatives from the Illinois Department of Military Affairs to discuss my military recruitment bill (SB 3626). In the collage below (L-R) I am seen with constituent Michelle Grimestad and her children, in town for Homeschool Advocacy Day, a second homeschool family that delivered cherry pies to legislators on Homeschool Advocacy Day, and advocates from Autism Speaks to discuss ways we can continue supporting individuals and families across Illinois. I truly enjoy these conversations, as they help me take votes that align with the priorities of those I represent.
Lawmakers Wear Purple for Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day in Illinois
Lawmakers and advocates wore purple on March 25 to mark the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter’s 2026 Day of Action, an annual event focused on raising awareness and pushing for stronger dementia-related policies across the state.
The effort comes as Alzheimer’s disease continues to affect a growing number of families in Illinois. More than 250,000 Illinois residents are currently living with the disease, underscoring the need for policies that support patients, caregivers, and long-term planning.
By wearing purple, we highlighted both the urgency of the issue and the importance of continued legislative action to improve the lives of people affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Senator Lewis Presents Honorary Resolutions Across 24th District
While back in the 24th District last week, I had the honor of presenting three different honorary Senate Resolutions to deserving individuals, groups, and businesses in the 24th District. In the photo collage above (L-R) I am shown congratulating St. Andrews Golf & Country Club on 100 years of service, congratulating the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) on 50 years of service, and wishing constituent Josephine Dabrowski a very happy 100th Birthday.
Illinois Trout Season Underway
The 2026 Illinois spring trout fishing season opened on April 4 at 58 ponds, lakes, and streams statewide, with an early catch-and-release period already underway at select locations. During the early season, anglers must release all trout caught, while the regular harvest season allows a daily limit of five trout per angler.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources stocks more than 80,000 rainbow trout each spring, with additional stockings planned for the fall season. Funding for the program is supported through the sale of inland trout stamps purchased by anglers.
Several updates have been announced for 2026, including new or returning stocking locations in McHenry, Macon, Wayne, and Adams counties. Officials also remind anglers that harvesting trout before the April 4 opener is prohibited and may result in citations.
The spring trout season is a great way for families and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy Illinois’ natural resources. I encourage residents to take advantage of local fishing opportunities while following regulations that help maintain healthy fish populations in the present and future.
Anglers are required to have a valid fishing license and trout stamp unless exempt. More information, including site-specific regulations, is available at https://ifishillinois.org/.