With the spring legislative session adjourned and summer in full swing, I’ve enjoyed spending time throughout the 89th District connecting with constituents. This month, I hosted several office hours across the district to make my office more accessible and to meet directly with residents. Be sure to watch for additional office hours and community events throughout the summer – including America 250 events in our area!
Connecting with constituents remains one of my top priorities. These events provide an opportunity to share updates on the work completed in Springfield during this year’s legislative session, discuss the issues that matter most to our communities, and hear your thoughts and concerns about the policies affecting our district.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Illinois SNAP Error Rate Rises to 14.67%, Fifth Highest in the Nation
Illinois now has the fifth-highest error rate in the nation for improper payments to recipients of federal food subsidies, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker is blaming the Trump administration.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported on Wednesday that the nation’s states and territories made a collective $10 billion in improper Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments during fiscal year 2025.
Illinois’ error rate of 14.67% is up from 11.56% last year and ranks fifth highest among states.
Starting Oct. 1, states with average error rates more than 6% will pay more for administrative costs, potentially costing Illinois taxpayers more than $800 million a year.
In a recent interview, I talked about the Governor’s past comments including his promise to improve the rate before he gave his budget address in February:
“You’re not serving the most vulnerable people who need it, and that’s really what’s more concerning for me is the amount of money that will be lost to the people that actually need it because they’re not willing to do their job.”
Pritzker blames congressional Republicans and President Trump all the time. This is his to own and we’re gonna have very vulnerable people lose benefits because he refuses to fix one of the highest rates in the nation.
There isn’t room in the budget for another billion dollars of food assistance. Here is my full response statement regarding our state’s SNAP error rate:
“Illinois’ SNAP error rate has skyrocketed because of years of mismanagement, and our most vulnerable will be paying the price.
“This isn’t about taking benefits away from families who legitimately need assistance. It’s about making sure the program is administered properly and taxpayer dollars are protected. Fraud, waste, and abuse have no place in government.
“Governor Pritzker can’t blame the federal government for Illinois’ failures. If families lose benefits, it will be because he refuses to fix one of the highest error rates in the nation, that responsibility rests squarely with him.”
JOBS/ECONOMY
Illinois’ Unemployment Rate Remained at 5.1% in May
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced last week that the unemployment rate remained at 5.1 percent in May, unchanged from April, and up +0.7 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised April unemployment rate was 5.1 percent.
Compared to a year ago, total nonfarm payroll jobs were down -2,300 jobs. The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Private Education and Health Services (+18,800), Construction (+8,100) and Government (+4,300). The industry groups with the largest jobs decreases included: Professional and Business Services (-17,900), Financial Activities (-11,800), and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-6,200). In May, total nonfarm payrolls were almost unchanged (0.0%) over-the-year in Illinois and up +0.3 percent in the nation.
The number of unemployed persons in May was 336,300, down -0.3% from April, and up +15.3% over the same month one year ago. The labor force was down -0.2% from April and down -0.8% over-the-year.
SENIORS
New Law Makes Driver’s License Renewals Easier for Many Seniors
Starting July 1, Illinois drivers ages 79 to 86 will no longer have to take a behind-the-wheel driving test to renew their driver’s licenses. The change comes from the Road Safety & Fairness Act, which raises the age for required driving tests from 79 to 87.
The new law is based on evidence showing that Illinois seniors are among the safest drivers on the road, and this change removes an unnecessary requirement while still keeping safety measures in place.
Under the new rules:
- Drivers ages 79 to 80 must pass a vision test when renewing their license.
- Drivers ages 81 to 86 must renew their license every two years and pass a vision test.
- Drivers age 87 and older must renew their license every year and pass both a vision test and a behind-the-wheel driving test.
Before this change, Illinois was the only state that required some senior drivers to take a driving test every year to keep their licenses.
NEW LAWS
Cocktails-to-go, new state agency among many laws taking effect July 1
July 1 marks a second New Year’s Day in Illinois as a new budget takes effect along with more than a dozen new state laws.
In addition to the state’s nearly $56 billion fiscal year 2027 budget being implemented and the 1-cent motor fuel tax increase being suspended for the remainder of the year, 14 news laws will go into effect on Wednesday.
Read more on these new laws from Capitol News Illinois.
DISTRICT 89 LIBRARIES AWARDED GRANTS
Investments to help ensure residents and students continue to have access to the resources they need
I’m pleased to share that libraries and school districts in our community have been awarded state grant funding to help strengthen library services, improve security, and support school library programs.
Award recipients include:
Per Capita Library Grants
- East Dubuque District Library
- East Moline Public Library
- Elizabeth Township Public Library
- Forreston Public Library
- Galena Public Library District
- Genoa Public Library District
- Lanark Public Library
- Lena Community District Library
- Mount Carroll District Library
- Pearl City Public Library District
- Julia Hull District Library
- Stockton Township Public Library
- York Township Public Library
- Warren Township Public Library
School District Library Grants
- Byron CUSD 226
- East Dubuque CUSD 119
- Freeport School District 145
- Galena Unit School District 120
- Lena-Winslow CUSD 202
- West Carroll CUSD 314
- Pearl City CUSD 200
- Meridian CUSD 223
- Warren CUSD 205
Our libraries are essential to inspire learning and serve our communities. Congrats to all the award recipients!
UPCOMING EVENTS
There are great events scheduled for this summer! I look forward to seeing you in and around the 89th District this summer.
