Dupage Policy Journal

The Illinois Legislature reconvened on February 6, with committees beginning the process of reviewing the numerous bills filed for the 2024 session. Among the pressing issues that will be addressed this year is the influx of individuals into communities who are unable to care for themselves, placing strain on the existing residents of Illinois. Senator Lewis, a member of the Senate Appropriations Health & Human Services Committee, expressed concern about the lack of increased budget allocation for this area. He fears that funds may be diverted away from those who have long resided in Illinois and towards the newly arrived individuals. The Governor has utilized disaster proclamations to reallocate budget money, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars being directed towards new arrivals in terms of food, housing, healthcare, and other services.

Senator Lewis highlighted a recent attempt by the Governor and the Department of Human Services to cut funding for the intellectually and developmentally disabled by $90 million. However, due to pressure from legislators and advocates, the cuts were delayed, ensuring that approximately 10,000 people living in IDD group homes would not be directly affected.

In addition to the budget concerns, Senator Lewis also introduced Senate Resolution 717, which designates the month of October as Hindu American Heritage Month in the State of Illinois. This resolution aims to recognize and celebrate the culture, history, traditions, achievements, and contributions of Hindus in Illinois. Senator Lewis emphasized that Hindu Americans have made significant positive contributions to society in various fields.

Senator Lewis also discussed some legislation filed by legislators with progressive views. He mentioned House Bill 4603, which would have prohibited police from pulling over motorists or issuing citations for various infractions. The bill faced immediate pushback and the sponsor has stated that it will not be moved forward this year. Senator Lewis will continue to monitor the bill's progress. Another bill of concern is Senate Bill 1768, which proposes making the position of Police Chief an elected position rather than a hired one. Senator Lewis believes that the selection process for police chiefs should be rigorous and not left to chance on an election ballot.

Moving on to community initiatives, Senator Lewis reminded constituents about the "Valentines for Seniors" card drive, encouraging the submission of homemade cards and drawings to be delivered to assisted living centers, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities across the 24th Senate District. The response to this project exceeded expectations last year, and Senator Lewis is hoping for even higher participation this year to bring joy to seniors in the district.

In terms of grants, the Illinois Department of Higher Education announced capital improvement grants totaling $21.2 million for Wheaton College, North Central College, and Benedictine University. These funds will be used to offset costs for campus infrastructure improvements. Additionally, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources awarded close to $5 million in Open Space Land Acquisition & Development grants to various communities in the 24th District. These grants will support projects aimed at enhancing open spaces and recreational areas.

Senator Lewis also mentioned his ongoing Traveling Office Hours events, which aim to bring constituent services to various communities within the district. These events provide residents with access to assistance on a range of issues involving state agencies and departments.

In other news, the Illinois Tollway announced that it will be replacing traditional I-PASS transponders with stickers. Sticker tags will provide a convenient and less expensive travel experience, using radio frequency identification to communicate with toll collection technology. Existing transponders will continue to work until their expiration dates, and customers will be able to switch to the new I-PASS sticker tags without a deposit fee.

Lastly, the Illinois Department of Agriculture has designated $6.4 million for Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure grants. These grants will support the post-harvest, pre-retail sale level of the food supply chain, assisting smaller farms, new and beginning farmers, underserved producers, veteran producers, and underserved communities. Applications for these grants will be available from January 22 through March 15.

As the legislative session continues, Senator Lewis remains committed to addressing the challenges facing the human services budget, supporting community initiatives, and advocating for the interests of his constituents in the 24th District.