With the Senate not in session for two weeks, I’ve been taking every opportunity to get out across the 37th District, meet with constituents, and hear directly about the issues affecting our communities.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve met with a wide range of local leaders, advocates, employers, educators, and service providers. That included conversations with those working with at-risk youth, as well as visits to local hospitals and health care providers to discuss rural health care, access to services, staffing challenges, and ways to expand care in our communities.
I also visited the children’s advocacy center in LaSalle County, marking my final stop in a series of visits to all seven CACs that serve the 37th District! These visits have provided valuable insight into the shared challenges they face and the critical role they play in supporting children and families.
Agriculture and infrastructure were key topics throughout several stops across the district. At a local farm bureau legislative breakfast and then at an agricultural market update, I spoke with farmers and local officials about issues like estate taxes (the “death tax”) on family farms, local zoning control, rural road and bridge funding, and rising energy costs. I also had the opportunity to provide a legislative update at a regional highway commissioners seminar.
Additional visits included a stop at Sauk Valley Community College during a student-led American Red Cross blood drive, a coffee connections event with local/regional employers and the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, and continued conversations with health care providers about improving affordability and expanding access to care. I also toured OnCall Imaging in Rock Falls to discuss how independent imaging services and increased competition can help drive down costs for patients.
In Cordova, I visited the 3M production facility to see a newly installed water treatment system that is filtering more than 5 million gallons of water each day. The system is part of the company’s broader effort to move away from PFAS in production and invest in protecting the Mississippi River watershed.
These conversations shape the work I do in Springfield. Hearing directly from people across the district keeps me grounded in the real issues our communities are facing. Thank you to everyone who took the time to meet and share their perspective.