This coming week, I and the other 58 senators who make up the Illinois State Senate will head to Springfield to begin work on legislation that directly affects you and your family.
As your State Senator for the 37th District, my priority is standing up for you and advocating for the values we hold most dear here at home.
That means fighting for transparency and accountability in state government. It means working to lower runaway taxes and rein in wasteful spending. It means ending corruption, both in state government and via oversight of local governments. It means pushing for fair and ethical legislative maps, and ensuring government works for the people rather than political insiders. It also means standing up for our small businesses, farmers, and job creators by cutting unnecessary regulations, opposing job-killing mandates, and creating an environment where businesses can grow, invest, and keep jobs right here in Illinois.
Illinois is at a crossroads, and too many of the policies coming out of Springfield are making everyday life harder instead of easier. I witnessed that first-hand last year, and can attest to how out-of-touch Springfield is to economic impacts. Families are paying more, businesses are being squeezed, and the people who follow the rules are too often the ones footing the bill.
Far too many decisions are driven by political agendas, and downstate communities are left dealing with the consequences—such as when our road and bridge funds were raided to bail out failing Chicago public transit. The voices of farmers, small business owners, and working families are regularly ignored in favor of one-size-fits-all policies crafted far from the people they affect.
That reality only strengthens my resolve. Now is not the time to stay quiet or sit on the sidelines. It is the time to be present, prepared, and willing to stand up when bad ideas are pushed forward.
I will be in Springfield every day of session doing exactly that. I will challenge policies that grow government at the expense of taxpayers, defend the freedoms we value, and make sure the needs and concerns of the 37th District are heard loud and clear.
I will continue to work alongside colleagues who share these priorities, remain accessible to constituents, and speak out when legislation threatens jobs, personal liberty, or the financial security of Illinois. My goas is for my children to inherit an Illinois whose fiscal, ethical, and moral paths are much better than what we have now.
I also encourage you to stay involved. Pay attention to what is happening in Springfield and reach out when you see something that concerns you. Your perspective matters, and together we can push back against misguided policies and work toward a stronger, more responsible future for Illinois.