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.

August 31 marks International Overdose Awareness Day, an annual global event that aims to raise awareness about substance abuse and overdose deaths. On August 28, Governor Bruce Rauner signed a new law to curb opioid addiction in Illinois.

Several measures were signed into law during the week, including legislation focused on keeping students in-state, addressing the growing opioid crisis and mental health issues in Illinois, and a proposal to give motorists the option for a two-year vehicle registration.

More than 100 new laws were signed during the week, targeting the state’s teacher shortage, streamlining services for veterans, and supporting Illinois’ number one industry: agriculture.

Senator Jim Oberweis says redistricting reform is the answer to extreme policy positions.

Mixed news about the economy and jobs, new laws improving Illinois’ business and government climates, and remembering our military heroes are among the action during the week in the Capital City.

The Bradt Family of St. Charles visited the State Capitol Building while they were in Springfield August 7.

Illinois has several new laws that address a backlog of applications for nursing home care, provide more first responders with medicines for allergy-related emergencies, boost protections for DCFS workers, and create a new lottery game to benefit families of fallen police officers.

Illinois has several new laws on the books that allow affected counties to consolidate their election commissions with their county clerk’s offices, that expand and improve the Historic Tax Credit Program, and that recognize the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology as a state agency.

Governor Bruce Rauner signed a number of measures into law during the week, including bills designed to promote gun safety and to authorize a rehabilitation project at the Quincy Veterans’ Home.

A new report from an economic research group highlights the increasingly high tax burden Illinois businesses are facing – a key factor in the continued push by Senate Republicans for pro-jobs and pro-economic reforms at the Statehouse.

Newly-signed laws seek to address the state’s growing teacher shortage, and better prepare Illinois students for the demands of college and the workforce.

The United States Supreme Court issued two landmark First Amendment rulings during the week, and the federal government approved a plan to protect rural hospitals.

Senate lawmakers joined their House counterparts in Chicago during the week for an emotional hearing in response to a recent media investigation revealing systemic sexual abuse and assaults have taken place within the Chicago Public School system over the last decade.

Those state employees who are expected to receive back pay under the Fiscal Year 2019 Illinois budget can expect payments in coming months once their employers submit necessary paperwork.

As the spring legislative session wrapped up last week, lawmakers left Springfield having passed more than 600 bills and a balanced budget.

After months of bipartisan negotiations, the Senate and House came together to overwhelmingly approve a balanced budget that cuts spending and does not require a tax increase to implement. The budget now moves to the Governor for consideration.

Senator Jim Oberweis says after months of negotiations, the Senate voted May 30 to pass a balanced budget that does not require a tax increase to implement.

As the Senate’s scheduled May 31 adjournment approaches, negotiations continue between the four legislative leaders and the Governor to negotiate a balanced, responsible budget compromise.

SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) said he is disappointed that he did not have an opportunity to warn his fellow lawmakers against a tax-cut bill they overwhelmingly approved May 24, despite warnings by the Internal Revenue Service.

With less than two weeks left before the scheduled adjournment of the spring legislative session, Senate Republicans continue to work to pass a balanced budget, without another tax increase, by May 31.

In the midst of a national conversation about the role mental health plays in public safety, Illinois has received federal approval to launch a $2 billion Better Care Illinois Behavioral Health Initiative to deliver better outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries suffering from mental health and substance abuse disorders.

Senator Jim Oberweis talks with students from Parkview Christian Academy in Yorkville about their “A Robotic Journey” project at TECH 2018, a demonstration of school technology May 10 in the State Capitol.

While I'm in Springfield for Legislative Session, I still want to hear from my constituents in the 25th District. I'll be hosting a Teleforum TONIGHT from 6:50 p.m. to 7:50 p.m.

This week in the Illinois Capitol, a Task Force recommended building a new facility to house veterans, Senate Republicans pushed a bill to prohibit pay increases for lawmakers, and the Senate passed legislation that lets motorists register their vehicles for more than a one-year period.