News

In the wake of a recent federal Supreme Court ruling, Senate Republicans are renewing their call to pass a state Constitutional Amendment to allow voters to decide who draws legislative boundary maps.

Senator Chuck Weaver is hosting a free Coffee & Conversation July 25 at Konz Restaurant, 112 S. Main St. in Walnut.

Recent strong earthquakes in California are prompting calls for earthquake awareness from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), which is also focusing this month on young people learning how to prepare for all emergency situations.

Happy Independence Day!

Senator Chuck Weaver is hosting a Town Hall July 2 at the Kewanee Community Unit School District #229 Office.

The United States Supreme Court ruled on June 27 that courts have no role in deciding whether state legislative and federal Congressional maps are drawn for the benefit of a certain political party, a decision that Senate Republicans say further underscores the need for the Illinois General Assembly to approve a state constitutional amendment to allow for fair maps in Illinois.

Governor Pritzker has included additional counties in his disaster proclamation. On June 20, Henry and Knox Counties were added to the growing list of counties impacted by historic rainfall and flooding.

Motorists who text while driving will face tougher penalties as Illinois’ law regarding the use of hand-held devices behind the wheel takes effect on July 1.

Senator Chuck Weaver is hosting Coffee & Conversation June 19 at The Woodhull Travel Plaza, 536 Oxford Ave. in Woodhull.

As summer nears, bills from the spring legislative session are now being signed into law – beginning with a controversial measure to expand abortion in Illinois, and a reinstatement of the five-hour school day minimum.

Senator Chuck Weaver is hosting Coffee & Conversation June 7 at The Phenix Township Building, 14850 N. 2550 Ave. in Geneseo.

Senator Chuck Weaver released the following statement after voting against a Fiscal Year 2020 state budget bill, including $3 billion in new spending.

Honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom

Despite the May 31 adjournment of the regularly scheduled spring legislative session rapidly approaching, a great deal of work remains on controversial legislation, and the resolution of many major issues is unclear.

Controversy continues to swirl around Governor J.B. Pritzker’s plan to legalize the recreational use of marijuana for adults in Illinois, while a great deal of work remains on several other pressing issues that will also affect the state budget, with just two weeks left in the spring session.

Controversy surrounding Governor J.B. Pritzker’s plan to legalize recreational cannabis dominated the week, while a Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant expansion proposal that could cost current college students tuition assistance also generated headlines.

Residents of the 37th District can bring some of their unwanted household items to a free community recycling event being sponsored by Senator Chuck Weaver and Kuusakoski Recycling on May 11 in Peoria.

Senator Chuck Weaver talks with students from Knoxville Junior High School about their “Using CoSpaces and Sphero SPRK+ in Earth Science” project at TECH 2019, a demonstration of school technology May 7 in the State Capitol.

Senate Republican lawmakers stood with middle-income families during the week, voting against a $3.4 billion tax increase as Democrat legislative leaders pushed through a graduated income tax proposal with no protections for taxpayers.

Senator Chuck Weaver released the following statement May 1 after Senate Democrat leaders muscled through a constitutional amendment and legislation that sets rates for Gov. J. B. Pritzker’s controversial plan to fundamentally change the state’s income tax system and increase taxes by an additional $3.4 billion per year.

With the second half of the spring legislative session scheduled to begin April 30, a number of bills have been approved by the Senate so far, including legislation to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, fund pediatric cancer awareness, and ensure Illinois schools receive property tax money committed to them.

A blessed Easter to all.

State lawmakers are working back in their districts until April 30, when they return to Springfield to finish the spring legislative session, which is scheduled to adjourn May 31.

Senator Chuck Weaver is hosting a Town Hall April 18 at the High School in Princeton.

Senator Chuck Weaver was one of four lawmakers who talked with Chicago leaders April 15 about the Constitutional Amendment proposed by Governor J.B. Pritzker to fundamentally change the state’s income tax system from a flat rate structure to a progressive rate structure.