"It also provides $5 million for teaching mentorship initiatives to support and retain high-quality educators, along with $30 million dedicated to addressing teacher vacancies across the state."

This popular program provides opportunities for constituents to meet with legislative staff to receive help and discuss state issues and concerns.

Rose says one thing scaring him is something the State Senate already passed, a statewide tax on deliveries to your home to help fund mass transit in Chicago.

"Town halls are one of the best ways for me to connect directly with the people I represent. They give me the opportunity to talk about the issues that matter most, reflect on what we accomplished this session and hear from my constituents," Yocum said. "I encourage you to attend one of the upcoming town...

"Democrats just passed a $55 billion budget that raises taxes, slashes education funding, shortchanges care for individuals with developmental disabilities, and bails out Chicago - all at the expense of working families across Illinois."

"Yet again, a record-spending budget passed the House with partisan votes," said Rep. Schweizer. "This budget raises taxes on hard working Illinois families by $1 billion, perpetuating the worn-out tax, spend, tax, spend cycle with no end in sight. Our citizens cannot afford this out-of-control spending ...

The ban is due to what city officials call "disruptive, abusive, threatening and highly aggressive conduct" toward Mayor Rickey Williams Jr., City Clerk Lisa Monson, City Comptroller Alyssa Sweeten, Police Chief Chris Yates and other city employees.

Senate Bill 1160, originally filed by State Representative Stephanie Kifowit and then transferred to Rep. Schweizer, amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow any resident of Illinois who served in the United Nations Protecting Force in Somalia, Panama, or Grenada to apply for a United National Protection Force license...

House Joint Resolution 30 which also passed unanimously, designates the intersection of Illinois Routes 39 and 43 on the north side of Willow Hill as the Jackie Wayne "Jack" Steinman Memorial Highway for his many years of service to the community and in the U.S. Army.

House Bill 3187 aims to cut outdated responsibilities and redirect resources to programs that serve everyday Illinoisans. Under the measure, obsolete duties - like requiring the state to manage freight rate data - would be eliminated from government handling, and respective industry experts would take the lead.