As temperatures drop, the Office of the State Fire Marshal encourages residents to have their furnaces checked and to make sure carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working properly...

The start of the New Year brought about the beginning of Illinois’ controversial minimum wage hike. Effective Jan. 1, Illinois’ minimum wage increased from $8.25 per hour to $9.25 per hour, putting additional cost burdens on small-business owners across the state. Wages will continue to increase incrementally to $15 per hour by 2025...

In the midst of ethical probes into the Illinois Statehouse, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza recently announced that her office will no longer assist municipalities in collecting fines for violations caught by red-light cameras...

Following a public outcry about the investigation released by the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica detailing the use of isolation rooms throughout the state’s public schools, lawmakers held their first hearing about the controversial practice...

Illinois entered the new decade with nearly 160,000 fewer residents than in previous years, underscoring the need for lawmakers to address the continued outmigration...

As a new year begins, Illinois residents may be interested to learn about several notable new laws that take effect January 1. The new laws kicking off 2020 cover everything from recreational cannabis sales, to ensuring children are receiving adequate healthcare...

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has its own recommendations for Thanksgiving celebrations to prepare and keep your food healthy and safe...

If you’re planning to travel during the Thanksgiving weekend, you should expect to have plenty of company on the roads and in the skies...

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently issued a Regional Emergency Declaration due to a shortage of propane in Illinois. Illinois is one of seven states to receive this declaration, which makes it easier to transport and deliver propane to areas in short supply...

Despite a strong bipartisan push for action on major ethics reforms, the 2019 veto session ended without any new provisions in place, except for a new commission to study the issue...

Nearly 70 students from across the 53rd Senate District came to Bloomington-Normal recently to offer up their ideas for new laws to State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington). The event was part of Barickman’s annual Youth Advisory Council program, now in its 6th year. “I believe the best way to help develop engaged citizens and grow the next generation of leaders is to engage them at a young age...

The fall veto sesion wrapped up last week in Springfield and...

State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) released the following statement after his “no” vote on Senate Bill 1300: "Illinois has some of the worst funded pensions in the nation. In 2011, reforms were put into law to slow the growth of the unfunded liability. While I believe pension consolidation is a good idea, this legislation includes irresponsible proposals which reverse key aspects of those 2011 reforms and increase pension benefits...

State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) is continuing his efforts to clean up ethics issues in state government by co-sponsoring new legislation that targets potential conflicts of interest with the state board of elections...

Update after the first week of the fall veto session...

The Senate Republican Caucus took action today to restore public trust in an honest and ethical state government. At a press conference in the Capitol’s blue room, members unveiled a legislative proposal to ensure independent investigations of members of the General Assembly...

An ambitious multi-year, multi-billion-dollar plan for road and bridge construction was launched during the week, while the battle against opioid deaths continues, and the state improves educational opportunities for both students and teachers. Meanwhile, final preparations are being made for the fall Veto Session that starts Oct. 28...

During the upcoming fall veto session, during which they generally take actions on bills vetoed by the Governor, Illinois lawmakers could also be asked to consider a proposal to consolidate suburban and downstate pension plans, and new bills being filed by lawmakers. The fall veto session is scheduled for Oct. 28-30, and Nov. 12-14. As Veterans Day approaches, Senator Barickman is asking his constituents to share a photo and tribute to a loved one who has served in the United States Armed Forces to be displayed in the Capitol. And an Illinois-based company is taking steps to fight the nation’s opioid crisis...

This week is Fire Prevention Week, and the Illinois State Fire Marshal is offering safety tips to keep your family safe this fall. In other news, the Illinois State Police is warning residents about a phone scam, and proceeds from a new lottery game will go to help the homeless. ..

As Veterans Day approaches, and we look for ways to honor Illinois veterans and tell their incredible stories, State Sen Jason Barickman is asking constituents to submit a photo and tribute to a loved one who has served in the United States Armed Forces to be displayed on the Veterans Day “Wall of Honor” in the Illinois State Capitol Nov. 4-15...

Illinois has been ranked the least tax-friendly state in a new study and a new law bars employers from asking about individuals’ salary history,. Meanwhile...

After a rough and delayed planting season, Illinois’ agriculture industry received good news this week with a Taiwanese delegation committing to purchasing over $2 billion in Illinois soy and corn over the next two years. Meanwhile, Illinois motorists are encouraged to do their part to keep farmers safe as they head back into the fields and hit the roadways for the 2019 harvest season. Also happening this week...

A one-time tax amnesty program is being offered to delinquent taxpayers beginning October 1. Also during the week, members of the Property Tax Relief Task Force continued to meet in hopes of addressing Illinois’ onerous property tax burden. In other news...

New laws protecting children from secondhand smoke and allowing allow craft distilleries to deliver and sell their products directly to merchants have recently become law. In other news, an estimated $69 million in federal aid is being sought for flood damages across the state, and new reports give mixed reviews on Illinois’ economic outlook...

River conservancy districts will now be able to update their official names to more accurately represent the purpose they have evolved to serve, thanks to legislation sponsored by State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) that was signed into law on August 23....