Republican senators stood with middle-income families during the week, voting against a $3.4 billion tax increase as Democrats pushed through a graduated income tax proposal with no protections for taxpayers. Proposals also emerged during the week that sponsors claimed would provide property tax relief, and repeal the estate tax, but upon closer examination, these measures were found to be part of a political game to push through a tax hike....

Illinois Senate Democrats muscled through a series of tax hike bills on party-line votes, endangering economic growth while offering no protections for middle-income families, according to State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington). “This graduated tax scheme offers no protections whatsoever for middle-income families, and we’ve already seen the proposed rates changing...

“This plan provides absolutely no protection for middle income families. We’ve already seen these proposed rates change during the spring session, and common sense says that these rates will probably go up every time the state is having trouble paying its bills...

A number of pieces of legislation have recently passed the Illinois Senate including a bill to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, a measure that would help fund pediatric cancer awareness, and a measure aimed at ensuring Illinois schools receive property tax money committed to them. Also this week, on Earth Day, a coalition of Illinois agencies unveiled measures that would preserve Monarch butterflies...

Senators are back in their districts until April 30, when they return to Springfield to finish out the Spring Legislative Session. So far this legislative session, several measures sponsored by Senate Republicans have advanced to the House of Representatives after receiving approval from the Senate, including a bill that increases awareness of Scott’s Law...

Senator Barickman invites students to the Capitol to engage them in state government, graduated tax plan moves forward, other bills advance in the Senate...

Approximately 40 students visited the Illinois State Capitol on April 10 to hold a mock committee hearing and vote on legislation that they had proposed earlier in the year. The event was part of State Senator Jason Barickman’s (R-Bloomington) Youth Advisory Council Program. “People always say that young people aren’t engaged in what’s happening in government,” said Barickman. “This is an opportunity to not only engage them in the process, but to let them try their hands at being lawmakers, lobbyists, and even reporters...

Citizens and advocacy groups from across the state crowded the Capitol during the week, voicing their support or opposition to hundreds of bills currently being considered by lawmakers. Senators spent many hours debating and voting on legislation – such as measures to combat the opioid crisis and to provide a more affordable alternative to medicine for treating allergic reactions – as they work to meet an April 12 deadline for the third reading of Senate bills...

Several of the Illinois General Assembly’s newest members were able to get a firsthand look at one of the state’s most important correctional facilities, as part of tour hosted by State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington). “The Pontiac Correctional Facility is an important part of our state’s corrections system and a major economic driver for the region...

Senator Barickman offered support a constitutional amendment during the week to give Illinois residents a stronger voice in proposed tax increases, as lawmakers acted on legislation that will provide cost-savings measures, and resolve issues with out-of-date mandates. More work lies ahead in the remaining seven weeks of the spring legislative session...

The state of Illinois could soon update regulations that could potentially save schools money, now that the Senate has approved legislation sponsored by State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington). “This legislation provides a common sense solution to an issue that many school districts face...

Illinois voters may have the opportunity increase the threshold for lawmakers to raise taxes, thanks to a Constitutional Amendment co-sponsored by State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington). “There’s a lot of talk this year about new taxes, raising taxes, and changing tax systems..”

Senate Committees met throughout the week, considering a wide variety of legislation ahead of the March 22 deadline to move Senate Bills out of committees. From controversial measures...

The Senate had a full schedule of committees during the week and some floor action with several controversial measures making news. Other notes of interest include new reports on job creation, and our state and local tax burden...

New bipartisan legislation filed to improve ballot access, a Senate subcommittee holds hearings on infrastructure needs, new gun control bills are creating controversy, and abridged standardized testing will soon be implemented...

Springfield – Two state senators are embarking on a bipartisan effort to level the playing field for new political parties and independent candidates in Illinois. State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) and State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) have introduced a plan that lowers the number of signatures required for new political parties and independent candidates to be on the ballot...

State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) has filed legislation designed to reduce the some of the costs associated with hiring employees, with the goal of helping businesses to add more jobs.. “Everyone knows Illinois has a bad reputation for businesses, which makes it hard to grow jobs,” said Sen. Barickman. “When it costs more to hire people, it discourages businesses from adding employees..."

Illinois’ new Governor outlined his spending plan for the coming year, and a controversial minimum-wage measure has been signed into law. Also during the week, two environmentally-minded legislative packages, which have gained bipartisan support, would offer communities greater protections from ethylene oxide, and help protect the primary water source for Central Illinois....

“Illinois’ financial situation has been critically wounded by years of reckless taxing, spending and borrowing. We should learn from past mistakes, not repeat them in the manner proposed by Gov. Pritzker. I encourage the Governor to moderate his approach so that Democrats and Republicans can come together to craft a more reasonable approach to a budget...

People are invited to add their name to the call for a better redistricting process, the Senate passes a controversial minimum wage hike, Barickman advances legislation to help schools cut costs, and...

The Illinois Senate jammed through a partisan minimum wage hike despite the need for further negotiations and regional protections, according to State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington). “This isn’t about whether or not the minimum wage should be increased, it’s about how much, how fast, and what we can do to minimize the loss of jobs, especially downstate,” said Barickman. “Unfortunately this legislation doesn’t really do much of anything on any of those fronts..."

State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) is asking people to help show support for a fair maps effort that would give the voters the power to decide the issue during the next election. “People should be picking their representatives instead of politicians picking their voters,” said Sen. Barickman. “We have the opportunity to make that happen, by letting the voters decide during the next election..."

State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) has officially been tapped to continue his role as the lead Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with being assigned to once again serve on the Executive and Education Committees...

Barickman appointed to Senate leadership role, JB Pritzker was sworn in as governor, and the Red Cross offer winter preparedness tips...

State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) will once again take on extra responsibilities as a part of the Senate Republican leadership team. He was appointed to the role of Assistant Republican Leader...