Senator Jim Oberweis has been reappointed to the Senate Republican leadership team as the Illinois General Assembly begins its 101st biennial session.

Illinois lawmakers gathered in Springfield this week to convene the 101st General Assembly, Senator Bill Brady was re-elected as Senator Minority Leader, and Governor Bruce Rauner issued a progress report in the last week of his Administration.

Senator Jim Oberweis joins the Capitol Report podcast January 9 to discuss the inauguration of the 101st General Assembly, and what the challenges and opportunities are for lawmakers.

Senator Jim Oberweis says the convening of the 101st General Assembly Jan. 9 signals a renewed commitment to face the challenges and welcome the opportunities awaiting Illinois.

Happy New Year, friends, and all the best in 2019!

When the clock strikes midnight on January 1, 253 new laws will take effect in the state of Illinois.

As Illinoisans from Cairo to Chicago celebrate the New Year, 253 new laws will take effect on January 1.

As citizens throughout Illinois toast the New Year, 253 new laws will take effect. From public-safety laws to fighting human trafficking and celebrating our state’s rich history, these new laws cover a wide range of topics.

A year-long celebration of the state’s 200th birthday culminated this week in a Grand Bicentennial Party, the Governor declared Christian County a disaster area after tornadoes ripped through central Illinois, and seven Illinois hospitals have been listed among the best in the nation.

Legislators were in Springfield for the final week of the Fall Veto Session, taking action on measures vetoed or changed by the Governor.

State lawmakers are back in their district this week for Thanksgiving before gearing up for the final week of the Fall Veto Session next week.

Legislative action during the first week of the Fall Veto Session included votes on several vetoed bills, a Senate committee calling for an end to a suburban environmental crisis, and Senate Republicans unanimously electing State Senator Bill Brady of Bloomington as Senate Minority Leader.

The legislative agenda is set for the six-day fall Veto Session that begins Nov. 13, there’s important news for Illinois businesses, and residents can help give Illinois service men and women a touch of home with the Holiday Hero Drive.

Lawmakers are set to return to the State Capitol Nov. 13 to begin fall “veto session,” which is currently scheduled for November 13-15 and November 27-29.

Nominees are being sought for Illinois’ newly-created Route 66 Centennial Commission, and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is seeking input on a public campaign urging safety on state roadways.

As the November 6 general election approaches, state and local officials this week outlined policies and procedures designed to protect against cyber threats.

State Sen. Jim Oberweis is encouraging constituents to submit a tribute and photo of their loved ones who served our country to be displayed on the Veterans Day “Wall of Honor” in the Illinois Capitol Nov. 5-16.

State Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) was appointed to the Senate Republican Leadership team Oct. 1. Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) appointed Oberweis to serve as the Senate Republican Whip.

In just three years, the number of kindergarten through 12th grade school districts in Illinois able to access the internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student has improved by 25 percent—going from 71 percent to 96 percent. The report, done by EducationSuperHighway, tracks progress toward K-12 connectivity across the United States.

In preparation of the fiscal year 2020 budget, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has scheduled three statewide budget hearings in an effort to hear funding recommendations for public education. Educators, advocates, and community members are encouraged to communicate their funding requests in person at one of the upcoming hearings.

Legislation was filed this week to keep people who have been convicted of tax fraud out of public office.

If you are planning on hunting or trapping this year, make sure you know all the hunting periods, limits, application periods, and lottery dates before you go.

Illinois has been ranked as the fourth best state in the nation for teachers by personal finance website WalletHub, the Illinois Department of Public Health is recommending that residents get the flu shot as soon as it is available in their communities, and the Governor has proclaimed October as College Changes Everything® Month.

A recent list from WalletHub ranks the best cities in Illinois – many of them local – for their labor-market health.

To help speed the movement of crops to market and keep Illinois farmers and crop haulers competitive with agriculture operations in neighboring states, Governor Bruce Rauner recently declared a harvest emergency.