New laws have been signed seeking to address the state’s growing teacher shortage, and better prepare Illinois students for the demands of college and the workforce. The “opt-in” phase of the state’s Automatic Voter Registration law also began this week, allowing residents to update their voter status at the DMV, which will be sent immediately to election officials.

The Illinois Legislative Inspector General (LIG) is gaining significant autonomy and powers to investigate claims of sexual harassment, thanks to a new law co-sponsored by State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington). “This is a major step toward finally changing a toxic climate that has existed for far too long in Springfield...

Both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly have now passed State Sen. Jason Barickman’s (R-Bloomington) legislation to restore the safety and accountability of the state’s grant process. “I’m proud that we were able to work through both chambers and pass this common-sense bipartisan legislation,” said Sen. Barickman. “The people of Illinois should be able to have faith that the state is spending taxpayer funds ethically and efficiently, which is the goal of this legislation...

On May 30, the Senate voted 56-2 to pass a $38 billion spending plan for Fiscal Year 2019. “We have a divided government. This is how divided government is supposed to work. I’m pleased that we’ve put together a full-year, balanced budget which is the product of hard work, tough choices and bipartisan cooperation...

The Illinois Senate passed a balanced budget, on time, in bipartisan fashion, according to State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington). “I’m pleased that we’ve put together a full-year, balanced budget which is the product of hard work, tough choices and bipartisan cooperation. However, there should be no victory laps...

Travelers to Towanda on I-55 could soon be driving on the Sergeant Anthony R. Maddox Memorial Highway, thanks to legislation filed by to State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) and passed by the Illinois Senate. “Sergeant Maddox made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our way of life...

The Illinois Senate has passed legislation filed by State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) to create the SPC Phillip J. Pannier Memorial Highway. “It’s always important that we remember the dedication and sacrifice of those who have given their lives to protect our way of life...

Legislation to honor two officers and a civilian killed in a gunfight in 1979, along with another officer wounded in the battle, has now been adopted by the General Assembly, after the Illinois Senate passed the measure on May 28. The legislation was sponsored in the Senate by State Senators Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington)...

The Illinois Senate has approved the town of Normal’s request to extend the Uptown TIF district for 12 additional years, according to State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington). “This a situation where the town and the affected taxing bodies have come to an agreement to extend the TIF, so we are making sure the General Assembly respects the decisions made by our local governments...

Barickman welcomes teacher of the year to the Senate, important legislation advances, budget talks continue...

Candidates for certain offices could soon be ditching certain paper filings and moving to modern electronic methods, thanks to legislation sponsored by State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) and approved by the Illinois Senate. “This is about giving our local and state government the ability to modernize part of a candidate’s filing and reduce clutter...

The Illinois Senate got an up-close look at the face of teaching excellence, as the chamber welcomed Dwight Township High School’s Lindsey Jensen, the 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year, according to State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington)...

Illinois is one step closer to honoring the dedication and sacrifice of a firefighter who lost his life in the line of duty 30 years ago, thanks to legislation sponsored by State Sen. or Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) and adopted by the Illinois Senate May 10....

People and businesses affected by the February floods in Iroquois, Kankakee and Vermillion Counties now have a new tool available to help with recovery efforts, as the US Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved the state’s request for assistance, according to State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington)...

This week in the state Capitol, the Senate passed a Barickman-sponsored measure aimed at protecting the integrity of the non-profit grant process, a task force recommended building a new facility to house the 300 veterans at the Quincy Veterans Home, Senator Barickman pushed a bill to prohibit cost-of-living increases for lawmakers, and the Senate passed legislation that lets motorists register their vehicles for more than a one-year period...

In tough budgetary times, lawmakers should lead by example by freezing their own salaries, according to State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) “The current budget is wildly out of balance, and as lawmakers begin negotiations on the next budget we know we are facing shortfalls and increasing costs, so we have to find areas to cut spending,” said Barickman. “Freezing the salaries of lawmakers is a small but important first step that allows lawmakers to show they are willing to lead by example....

Legislation aimed at protecting the integrity of the non-profit grant process has passed the Illinois Senate, according to State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) and Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park), the chief sponsors of the legislation. “State grants help fund non-profit organizations that are typically undertaking important work, from stopping violence to helping the environment,” said Sen. Barickman. “The goal of this legislation is to make sure that grant funds are used properly and for the right purposes...

Monarch butterfly and honeybee populations could soon receive help to stop the loss of their habitats, thanks to legislation filed by State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) and passed by the Illinois Senate. “Increasing the amount of habitat for honeybees and butterflies is good for the environment, for farmers and other growers, and for economic growth,” said Sen. Barickman. “We have an opportunity to add substantial habitat acres by creating guidelines that will assist interested solar site owners and operators to convert otherwise wasted space into natural habitat...

State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) has passed legislation in the Senate to save costs by eliminating unnecessary and duplicative government bodies. “Any time we can eliminate unnecessary government bodies and their associated costs, that’s a win-win,” said Sen. Barickman. “This is a case where we have similar bodies overseeing many of the same businesses, so it just makes sense to consolidate their work into one more focused board...

This week the Illinois Senate passed legislation from Senator Barickman to help trim government and make it more efficient. Additionally, nearly two dozen lawmakers came together this week to oppose tax plans that would likely hurt job growth; legislation was filed to allow voters in some counties to lower their property tax burdens; and the Senate passed a bill that would offer property tax relief to disabled veterans. Also during the week...

On Tax Day 2018, as Illinois residents feel the first big tax bills from the massive state tax hike passed last year, State Sen. Jason Barickman’s (R-Bloomington) joined with several colleagues to oppose further flat or graduated tax hikes that are being discussed in the Capitol...

Dozens of students from across State Sen. Jason Barickman’s (R-Bloomington) district came to the Illinois Capitol on April 11 to learn firsthand about passing legislation. “These students potentially represent the next generation of lawmakers and leaders...

The Illinois State Board of Education has finalized distribution numbers for the new evidence-based funding model. Senate lawmakers return to Springfield April 10, and will continue their efforts to finalize a state budget and finish legislative business for the spring session by a scheduled adjournment date of May 31. In other legislative news...

“I believe this marks the beginning of a new era for how we fund schools. The distribution of these funds is the result of the years of hard work from lawmakers and members of the education community toward creating an adequate and equitable system of distributing funds to schools....

The Joint Senate/House Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment is continuing to meet as part of a comprehensive review of the legal and social consequences of sexual discrimination and harassment in the public and private sectors. Also this week...