SWEET CORN DAY COMING SOON
August 1st is Sweet Corn Day in Savanna. With only a few more weeks until the annual event, I encourage all area residents to save the date and get ready to celebrate!
EDUCATION
Illinois children could get a second chance at better schools and choice. The State of Illinois had a successful school-scholarship tax incentive program, “Invest in Kids,” until 2022-2023. The “Invest in Kids” program was then allowed to expire, despite House Republicans fighting to keep it alive.
Through Invest in Kids, Illinois taxpayers could make tax-free donations to the fundraising groups of the private school or school system of their choice. The fundraising groups were mandated to use funds raised through Invest in Kids to provide scholarship opportunities to selected students. The young people participating in the Invest in Kids program received reduced-tuition or tuition-free education at the schools to which they had been admitted.
A recent change in federal law has given this concept a new chance of life in Illinois. A new federal tax law has created a new, nationwide program for opt-in states, and their taxpayers, to participate in a new package of income tax scholarship incentives. For opt-in states, the new federal scholarship program would operate in a manner like “Invest in Kids.”
The Chicago Tribune has called upon Illinois leaders to opt into the school-choice provisions of the new Trump tax law. House Republicans have supported the reinstatement of “Invest in Kids” and the restoration of school choice to thousands of Illinois students and their families.
I released the following statement in response: “Republicans stood up for a scholarship program called ‘Invest in Kids’ because it worked. With the new federal law opening the door, we will pursue legislation to allow Illinois to opt in and give families back the opportunity to choose the education that’s right for their children—not the one government assigns.”
FIRST RESPONDERS
Illinois State Police graduates the largest cadet class in 25 years. The newly sworn troopers will be assigned to join all ten regional locations of the Illinois State Police (ISP). Commending the graduates, State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly noted that the new troopers marked the largest ISP cadet class in the past 25 years.
The State Police will consider qualified adults for cadet training and sworn standing. Qualified new applicants may be chosen to initiate 29 weeks of traditional cadet training. In addition, persons who have already won standing as certified police officers with prior experience may choose to apply for entry to an accelerated 12-week State Police entry program, open only to persons with prior police experience.
In both cases, after undergoing State Police academy cadet training, future ISP troopers are then invited to participate in a final 14-week field training program, for hands-on experience-based learning. After completion of the field training program, the 95 members of the summer 2025 Illinois State Police cadet graduate class were sworn in as State Police troopers.
I have been proud to help lead the charge on public safety: “House Republicans believe safe communities start with strong support for law enforcement. The graduation of the largest Illinois State Police cadet class in 25 years is a need and an investment in those who protect and serve. We’ll keep fighting for the resources and respect law enforcement need—because public safety isn’t optional, it’s foundational.”
JOBS
Illinois’ unemployment rate falls to 4.6%. Illinois’ unemployment rate fell -0.2 percentage point to 4.6 percent in June, the first monthly decrease since February of this year and the lowest unemployment rate since August 2023, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised May unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.8 percent.
The number of unemployed workers was 307,300, down -3.5% from the prior month, and down -9.5 percent over the same month one year ago. The labor force decreased (-0.2%) over-the-month and was down -0.3% over-the-year.
The US unemployment rate edged down to 4.1% in June 2025 from 4.2% in May, defying market expectations of a rise to 4.3%. The rate has held within a narrow 4.0%–4.2% band since May 2024, signaling broad labor market stability.
Illinois’ unemployment rate remains persistently higher than the national rate.
FAIR TIME!
There are 7 upcoming county fairs, check it out and save the date:
- Stephenson County Fair – July 22nd to July 26th
- Ogle County Fair – July 30th to August 5th
- Jo Daviess County Fair – July 31st to August 3rd
- Carroll County Fair – August 5th to August 9th
- Boone County Fair – August 5th to August 10th
- Winnebago County Fair – August 13th to August 17th
- DeKalb County Fair – September 22nd to September 27th