With a seemingly never-ending stream of news stories involving investigations and charges against Illinois lawmakers, State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) is co-sponsoring a package of bills aimed at stopping corruption and making it easier to investigate wrong-doing...

The second round of the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) Program is now open. These grants will be available to all small businesses statewide that experienced losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic...

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is sharing information about the upcoming Youth Firearm Deer Season taking place in a matter of weeks...

The Illinois Fire Service Institute is offering a unique, no cost professional development program to veterans interested in serving as a member of the fire service...

Click here to let me know how you feel on a number of important issues.

Noting his support for Illinois businesses and pro-growth economic policies, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce has named State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) as a “Champion of Free Enterprise.”

This week, it was announced that the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) has extended the deadline for Illinois renters to apply for aid by one week to 12 p.m. on August 28 due to those impacted by last week’s the storms. Additionally, landlords will be given to August 30 to complete their portion of the applications...

Noting that ComEd’s ratepayers are the victims of any wrong-doing by the utility, State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) is co-sponsoring legislation calling for the $200 million in fines to be returned to those customers...

On Wednesday, July 15 public health officials and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker laid out a new COVID-19 mitigation plan, metrics and revised regions for monitoring the pandemic’s impact on Illinois...

On Friday, Governor Pritzker announced that he was issuing an executive order to cancel both of the Illinois State Fairs which are held annually in Springfield and Du Quoin....

Recently, every member of the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus sent a letter to Governor JB Pritzker formally requesting that he adopt the more widely-accepted 14-day timeline rather than his current 28-day requirement for moving between phases...

In this unprecedented time, I believe the General Assembly has fallen far short of the public's expectations of how we respond to the issues facing our constituents...

"I'm often asked by the members of the public whether their voice matters. The answer every day, and especially today, is that it does...

With continued controversy and questions regarding many aspects of Governor Pritzker’s re-opening plan, along with the need for oversight from the co-equal legislative branch, State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) has continued his push for public hearings on the proposal...

Illinois lawmakers need to return to Springfield immediately to review the governor’s controversial re-opening plan, along with passing a state budget before it’s too late, according to State Senator Jason Barickman...

Add your name to my petition calling for public hearings and legislative input on the Governor's re-opening plan.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) today released new instructions for 1099 workers who have lost work due to COVID-19. Workers who believe they may be eligible for new federal benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, must first apply for regular unemployment insurance before applying for benefits under PUA when a new application portal opens on May 11, 2020 via the IDES website...

Noting the importance of cooperation between the co-equal executive and legislative branches of government, along with the potential impact of any plan to re-open Illinois, State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) is calling for public hearings on Governor JB Pritzker’s “Restore Illinois” plan...

In the future, Governors could be required to receive legislative input before extending emergency declarations beyond 30 days, under legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington)...

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration needs to act as quickly as possible to get unemployment benefits to self-employed “gig” workers, according to State Senator Jason Barickman...

Earlier this week, the Illinois State Police issued new emergency rules to help firearm owners with expired Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) cards...

Tips on filing for unemployment benefits online.

Small businesses looking to keep workers on the payroll have a new option in the Paycheck Protection Program. Starting today...

Overview of state programs for struggling small businesses.

"I applaud the federal government's move to delay the deadline to file taxes until July 15th, which provides some much-needed flexibility to people dealing with an unprecedented situation. Illinois needs to follow suit...